
Class. rb'lfegJS 
Book -Gg 



SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT 



I 

AN 

ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY 

OF 

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, 

CONTAINING 

THE RADICALS AND DEFINITIONS OF WORDS 

DERIVED FROM THE 

GREEK, LATIN, AND FRENCH LANGUAGES; 

AND ALL THE GENERALLY USED 

TECHNICAL AND POLITE PHRASES, 

ADOPTED FROM 

THE FRENCH AND LATIN. 

DESIGNED CHIEFLY AS A BOOK OF REFERENCE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEN, 
AND THE CURIOUS IN LITERATURE, IN EXPLAINING WORDS AND 
PHRASES, THE ORIGIN OF WHICH REQUIRES MUCH HIS- 
TORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH J 

AND ADAPTED ALSO TO BE USED AS 

AN ACADEMICAL CLASS BOOK: 
BY WILLIAM GRIMSHAW, 

AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, ETC. 

THIRD EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED AND ENLARGED. 

PHILADELPHIA: 
GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO. 

No. 14, NORTH FOURTH STREET, 
1848. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by 

WILLIAM GRIMSHAW, 

in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAS. 
PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS. 

(2) 



PKEFACE 



xvx\^v^v\.v 



Few sciences are more worthy of acquirement than Ety- 
mology. Next to the being endowed by nature with a mind 
of acute perception, large capacity, and correct judgment, 
there is no more powerful aid, to philosophical inquiries, than 
a precise understanding of the language in which knowledge 
is conveyed. If the terms of scientific instruction be not 
clearly understood by the pupil, his perceptions will at first 
be imperfect, and in the end abortive : if not fully compre- 
hended by the teacher, his manner will betray his ignorance ; 
and, in place of developing his subject, he will involve it ; 
instead of delighting, he will fatigue. 

The English language, of the present day, with the ex- 
ception of adverbial and conjunctive words, is twofold. It 
consists of a dialect, which has emanated, without any mate- 
rial change, through the Saxon, from the Gothic or Teutonic ; 
and of another, derived immediately from the French.- Latin, 
and Greek. The former is used by the common people, and 
by children, and, occasionally, in familiar discourse, by the 
higher classes : the latter, by the learned and polite, the 
philosopher and historian, the orator and statesman. The 
first has descended to us from the various northern tribes, 
who, in the fifth century, drove the Britains into Wales and 
Cornwall. The second, is of more recent birth. Additions 
from the French tongue, commenced in the eleventh century, 
on the accession of Edward the Confessor to the English 
throne. This prince having been educated in Normandy, 
where he had contracted many intimacies with the natives, as 
well as a partiality for their manners, the court of England 
was soon filled with Normans ; who, being distinguished by 
the royal favour, and a superior degree of urbanity, rendered 
not only their language, but their laws and customs, fashion- 

A* (V) 



VI PREFACE. 

able in the kingdom. The French tongue was very generally 
studied, and was used, in their different writings, by the law- 
yers. The subjection of the British people, by the Duke of 
Normandy, almost immediately after the death of Edward, 
served still more to intermingle the continental language. 
William endeavoured to abolish the English tongue. He or- 
dered that the youth should be instructed in French, that the 
pleadings in the supreme court should be in that language, 
the laws written in the same, and that no other should be 
spoken at the royal court. 

Nearly five centuries before, the Latin had been used in 
England, in the service of the Roman church ; but, as few 
of the clergy, even in the time of Alfred, (who ascended the 
throne in 871,) could interpret what they were repeating, the 
English language could not then have been rendered more 
copious, by the introduction of Latin words. Its history is 
involved in much obscurity. Even the additions, which had 
undoubtedly been made to the colloquial tongue, by the use 
of the Norman amongst the higher orders, are not easily 
discovered, or reduced to a certain date. The nobility were 
unlettered ; their discourse was, therefore, not committed to 
writing ; the poets composed their rude verses in the homely 
dialect of the lower classes, and the historians their chroni- 
cles in Latin. So recently as the beginning of the last 
century, theological disputations, as well as philosophical 
inquiries, were frequently written in Latin. The national 
tongue was not yet sufficiently dignified, nor sufficiently 
copious, to gratify the pride, or express the ideas, of the 
learned; nor were the readers", in any country, numerous 
enough, to repay the expense of translating, and of printing 
works of that kind in their own tongue. A reciprocal means 
of communication was therefore adopted, which rendered the 
original writings of the learned, in one country, intelligible 
to those in every other. 

Each succeeding year enlarges our verbal store. Every 
new invention or discovery, every new modification or com- 
bination, requires a new word. On these occasions, the 
elementary parts are seldom drawn from the national stock. 
The scientific terms, adopted by all modern nations, are almost 
exclusively constructed from the Greek or Latin. These are 
happily adapted to such a purpose. The elliptical form, re- 
quired to express multum in parvo, much in a small compass, 



PREFACE. Vll 

would be repugnant to the mind, and unpleasant to the ear, 
if compounded from the native tongue ; because the ellipsis 
would appear too violent ; a harshness which is avoided by 
the use of foreign words. 

There is little likelihood (though there is some,) of mis- 
taking the true signification of our vernacular dialect, — the 
Anglo-Saxon. That which we have been accustomed to do 
from our childhood, we will do, almost instinctively, right. 
Words, in the use of which we have had so early and long 
continued experience, will be thoroughly understood. Their 
various powers will be known, without a glossary. But this 
cannot be said, of the modern portion of our language. Not 
having been required in youth, it has been neglected ; and 
we are hurried from the society who speak the other, into a 
maturer and more refined, whose discourse is, in a great 
measure, unintelligible to us. 

Many years will elapse, before we are enlightened ; much 
arduous application will be used, much painful degradation 
suffered. Even when we conceive that we have dispelled tht 
obstructing clouds, we are encompassed by a remaining mist, 
— by an opacity, more dangerous than complete darkness, 
because more deceitful. Without a previous classical edu- 
cation, (which is attained by few males, and scarcely by any 
females,) we are seriously perplexed : we know not which is 
the literal, which the figurative import of a word ; how far 
the former may be extended, — within what bounds the latter 
should be confined. We have derived our knowledge from 
those who were either not competent, or not willing to instruct ; 
who have misled us through ignorance, or deceived us through 
design. We resemble a vessel without a pilot, which is sub- 
ject to the variable directions of her crew, and, in tracing the 
windings of the channel, is wrecked upon its banks. 

The best verbal pilot is Etymology. But, except to the 
classical scholar, this guide has hitherto been wanting. This 
is the first Etymological Dictionary that has ever appeared, 
of any language, founded on a minute and regular system of 
analysis. Each word is here resolved into its original ele- 
ments. In words composed of a Preposition and a Verb, the 
appropriate meaning of the former, out of its multifarious 
significations, has been chosen, to suit its particular applica- 
tion ; and the latter has been displayed, either in its primitive 
shape, or the inflection used in its combination. The same 



Vlll PREFACE. 

mode has been adopted with regard to foreign Nouns. These 
generally come to us through their genitive case, whilst the 
Verbs very frequently reach us in their participial form. 

The present tense of the indicative mood, I consider as the 
root of Greek and Latin verbs ; to which part, I have there- 
fore referred, as the fountain head; though, in accordance 
with academical usage, I have affixed to it the translation of 
the infinitive. Thus, I write metreo, " to measure," whilst the 
real meaning is " I measure ;" and facio, " to make," instead 
of " I make." I have also substituted the Roman letters for 
the Greek, as the best suited to the simplicity of my design ; 
enabling the mere English scholar to produce the sound indi- 
cated by the Greek characters, with sufficient accuracy ; 
whilst the radicals are, notwithstanding, exhibited in such a 
form, that a Greek scholar may easily find them in a lexicon. 

The most philosophical treatise on the derivation of Eng- 
lish words, is the Ertsa U-tsposvta, or Diversions of Purley, by 
Home Tooke. Had his plan embraced words derived from 
the learned languages, no occasion had offered for so inferior 
a philologist, as the author of the present work, to undertake 
this task. My labour would have been only manual. There 
would have been required only a judicious selection, and 
alphabetical arrangement. But he has confined his research- 
es, with some desultory exceptions, to that portion of the 

lancruao;e which is derived from the Saxon, and other barba- 

. .... 

rous dialects of the north. Several inquiring minds had 

previously explored the remote sources of the English tongue. 
Junius, in the sixteenth, and Skinner in the seventeenth 
century, had exercised no small degree of ingenuity, in 
ascending the intricate windings of the etymological stream : 
but their various deductions of the same word, excite scep- 
ticism and perplexity ; and their quaint subtleties, character- 
istic of the age in which they lived, instead of now promoting 
admiration, excite contempt. 

The dictionary of Dr. Johnson, is, by many, thought to 
combine etymology with definition. But this opinion, if the 
work be rightly examined, will be found erroneous. Except 
in occasional instances, the foreign words are neither analysed 
nor translated ; nor is the mode shown, by which the mind 
has compounded, or deduced them. A mere English scholar, 
therefore, never acquires more than the exchange of one sound 
for another ; but not always so much : for, as the Greek letters 



PREFACE. IX 

cannot be pronounced by him, they afford no intelligence, 
more lucid, than would be experienced by a Greek scholar, 
when staring, with stupid vacuity, at Arabic. He is informed, 
that cession is derived from cedo, accede, from accedo, geo- 
metry, from yscofjLslpva ; information that confers no benefit, 
on the learned, or on the unlearned. The latter has not, by 
this exhibition, received a single new idea ; the former, none, 
of which he was not possessed before. 

The derivations have, in many instances, not been attempt- 
ed by Dr. Johnson ; and the haste in which his voluminous 
work was compiled, has prevented a uniformity of system. 

A considerable number of phrases, wholly French or Latin, 
are now interspersed throughout our language. They have 
not been admitted into any English dictionary ; yet, it is not 
less essential to know their meaning, than the signification of 
words that we have fully naturalized. These have not been 
excluded from the present work. There is no essay of the 
scientific, nor interchange of sentiment amongst the polite, 
that does not require them. Every newspaper exhibits them : 
the lawyer employs them to elucidate his argument, the sen- 
ator to adorn his oration, and the ambassador to unfold, in 
technical phraseology, the intention of his government. 

Much more might be adduced on this subject. But the 
author refers, for practical illustration, to the work itself. A 
liberal critic will make due allowance, on account of its pe- 
culiar difficulty, — as well from its novelty, as its intricacy ; 
and, if he discerns, upon examination of the whole, that the 
author, notwithstanding some injudicious examples, possesses 
abilities competent to the design, he will pronounce a favour- 
able verdict, and expect that the errors left uncorrected in the 
present, will be corrected in a future edition. 



Philadelphia, July 31s£, 1848. 



ABBREVIATIONS. 

F. French. L. Latin. G. Greek. — v. verb, s. substantive, 
adj. adjective, prep, preposition, part, participle.— p. part, a 
passive participle, sup. supine.— pos. positive, compar. com- 
parative, superl. superlative. — comp. compounded. — nom. 
nominative, gen. genitive, dat. dative, accus. accusative, abl. 
ablative.— dim. diminutive, incep. or incept, inceptive. 



(10) 



ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY. 



ABA— ABJ 

ABA'SE. v. To lower one's-self in rank ; to perform an act of self- 
humiliation. F. abaisser ; comp. of a, to, and bas, low. L. ad, to, 

and basis, the lower part or base of a pillar. 
ABA'TE. v. To beat down ; to pull down ; to lessen ; to diminish ; to 

quash. F. abattre ; L. a, from, and batuo, to beat. 
AB'BOT. s. The chief of a convent or fellowship of canons. From 

the Syriac word, abba, father, used also in the Greek language.. 
ABBREVIATE, v. To shorten. L. abbrevio ; ab, from, and brevis, 

short. 
AB'DICATE. v. To relinquish ; to abandon ; to resign. L. abdico ; 

ab, from, and dico, to declare. 
AB'DITORY. s. A hiding place. L. abdo, to hide ; ab, from, and do, 

to give. 
ABDOMEN, s. The lower cavity of the body. L. abdomen ; from 

abdo, to hide. 
ABDU'CE. v. To draw away. L. abduco; comp. of ab, from, and duco, 

to lead, or draw. 
ABDU'CENT. adj. A term applied to those muscles which serve to 

open or pull back certain parts of the body. L. abducens, part, of 

abduco. Sse ABDUCE. 
ABDUCTION, s. The act of drawing or carrying away; a particular 

form of argument. L. abductio. See ABDUCE. 
ABER'RANCE. s. Deviation. L. aberrans, part, of aberro; comp. of 

ab, from, and erro, to wander. 
ABERRA'TION. s. Act of deviating. L. aberratio. See ABER- 
RANCE. 
ABHOR', v. To detest ; to hate with acrimony. L. abhorreo ; comp. of 

ab, from, and horreo, to tremble. 
ABILTTY. s. Power ; mental efficiency. F. habilete ; L. habilitas . 

from habeo, to have. 
AB INITIO. From the beginning. L. ab, from, initio, abl. of ini. 

tium, a beginning. 
AB'JECT. adj. Worthless; mean; groveling. L. abjectus, p. part, of 

abjicio, to cast out ; ab, from, and jacio, to throw. 
ABJU'RE. v. To swear not to do, or not to have. L. abjuro ; comp. 

of ab % from, and juro, to swear. 

11 



ABL— ABS 

ABLAC'TATE. v. To wean from the breast. L. ablacto; a6, from 

lac, milk. 
ABLAQUEA'TION. s. A laying bare of the roots of trees, in order 

to expose them to the air and water — a practice amongst gardeners. 

L. ablaqueatio ; ab, from, and laquear, a roof or covering. 
AB'LATIVE. adj. Relating to that case in grammar, which, amongst 

other significations, includes that from which something is taken. 

L. ablativus ; from ablalus, p. part, oi'aufero, to take away. 
ABLE. adj. Having ability. See ABILITY. 
ABLU'TION. s. The act of cleansing. L. ablutio ; ab, from, and lau- 

tus, part, of lavo, to wash. 
ABOLISH, v. To make void; to annul; to abrogate. L. aboleo : ab, 

from, and oleo, to grow. 
ABOM'INATE. v. To hold in religious abhorrence ; to detest, in the 

highest possible degree. L. abominor ; comp. of ab, from or against, 

and ominor, to wish ill luck : omen, a presageful sign. 
ABORIGINES, s. The earliest known inhabitants of a country. L. 

aborigines ; comp. of ab, from, and origo, the beginning. 
ABOR'TION. s. Premature birth ; produce of a premature birth ; 

failure of design. L. abortio ; from aborto, to miscarry ; ab, from, 

and ortus, part, of orior, to rise, or come suddenly. 
ABOR'TIVE. adj. In the manner of an abortion. L. abortivus. See 

ABORTION. 
ABOUND', v. To have or possess in great quantity. L. abundo : ab, 

from, and undo, to rise in surges, to spread : unda, a wave. 
ABRA'DE. s. To rub off, or gradually wear away from the other 

parts. L. abrado ; ab, from, and rado, to scrape. 
ABRASION, s. Act of rubbing off, or of gradually wearing away 

from the other parts. L. abrasio ; abrasus, p. part, of abrado. See 

ABRADE. 
AB'ROGATE. v. To repeal. L.abrogo; comp. ofab, from, and rogo, 

to ask, or entreat. In Rome, no law was repealed, without asking 

the consent of the people. 
ABRUPT, adj. Broken ; craggy ; sudden ; unexpected. L. abruptus, 

p. part, ofabrumpo : ab, from, and rumpo, to break. 
AB'SCESS. s. A morbid cavity. L. abscessus ; comp. ofa&, from, and 

cessus, p. part, of cedo, to retire. 
ABSCIND', v. To cut off. L. abscindo : ab, from, and scindo, to cut. 
ABSCIS'SION. s. The act of cutting off. L. abscissio ; from abscissus, 

p. part, of abscindo. See ABSCIND. 
ABSCOND', v. To hide ; to depart secretly. L. abscondo ; comp. of 

abs, from, and condo, to hide. 
AB'SENT. adj. Not present; inattentive. L. absens, part, ofabsum ; 

ab, from, and sum, I am. 
AB'SOLUTE. adj. Literally, in a general sense, free, independent 

of anything extraneous ; hence, unconditional ; complete; not rela- 
tive ; not limited. L. absolutvs, (p. part, of absolvo,) perfect, accom- 
plished. See ABSOLVE. 
ABSOLUTION, s. Acquittal ; remission of sins. L. absolutio ; from 

absolutus, p. part, of absolvo. See ABSOLVE. 
ABSOLVE', v. To free, or acquit. L. absolvo ; comp. of ab, from, and 

solvo, to loosen. 

12 



ABS— ACC 

ABSO'NANT. adj. Not to the purpose; inconsistent. L. absonam ; 

part, ofabsono; ab, from, and sono, to sound. 
ABSORB', v. To draw in. L. absorbeo ; ab, from, and sorbeo, to 

suck. 
ABSTAIN', v. To forbear. L. abstineo ; ab, from, and teneo, to hold. 
ABSTE'MIOUS. adj. Temperate in diet, &c. L. abstemius. See 

ABSTAIN. 
ABSTERGENT, adj. Cleansing. L. abstergens, part, of abstergeo, 

to wipe clean. 
AB'STINENCE. s. Act of abstaining. L. See ABSTAIN. 
ABSTRACT', v. To take from ; to separate. L. abstractum, sup. of 

abstraho ; abs, from, and traho, to draw. 
ABSTRU'SE. adj. Hidden ; difficult. L. abstrusus, part, ofabstrudo, 

to conceal ; abs, from, and trudo, to thrust. 
ABSURD', adj. Contrary to reason. L. absurdus : abs, from, and 

surdus, deaf, hearing to no purpose. 
ABUN'DANT. adj. Plentiful ; exuberant. L. abundans, part, of 

abundo ; comp. of ab, from, and undo, to flow. 
ABU'SE. s. The act of using improperly; rude reproach. L. ab, from, 

and usus, the custom, or practice. 
ABYSS', s. A depth without bottom ; a prodigious gulf. L. abyssus ; 

G. abussos ; a, without, and bassos, a bottom. 
ACAD'EMY. s. A place where sciences are taught. Academus, of 

Athens, whose house was converted into a school. 
ACCE'DE. v. To agree to. L. accedo ; from ad, to, and cedo, to 

yield, or go. 
ACCELERATE, v. To hasten. L. accelero ; from ad, to, and celero, 

to give speed. 
ACCENT, s. Manner of speaking or pronouncing ; sound given to a 

particular syllable ; mark of that sound. F. accent, a tune, or note ; 

L. ad, to, and cantum, sup. of cano, to sing. 
ACCEPT', v. To receive willingly; to admit with approbation. L. 

acceptum, sup. of accipio ; ad, to, and capio, to take. 
ACCESS, s. Means or liberty of approaching; increase. L. accessus f 

from ad, to, and cessum, (sup. of cedo) to give way. 
ACCESSARY, or ACCESSORY, s. One who, not being a chief 

agent in an act, connives at, or contributes to it. L. From the same 

roots as access; because aiding in gaining access. 
ACCIDENT, s. The property or quality of any being, which may 

be separated from it, at least in thought; casualty, chance. L. cc 

cidens, part of accido ; from ad, towards, and cado, to fall. 
ACCIP'IENT. s. A receiver. L. accipiens, part, of accipio ; to take, 

or receive ; ad, to, and capio, to take. 
ACCI'TE. v. To call; to summon. L. accitum, sup. of actio ; ad, to, 

and cieo, to move. 
ACCLAMA'TION. s. Shouts of applause. L. acclamatio ; from ad, 

to, and clamo, to call loudly. 
ACCLIMATE, v. To habituate to a new climate. L. ad, to, and 

CLIMATE. 
ACCLIVITY, s. Steepness, reckoned upwards. L. acclivitas ; from 

ad, to, and clivus, a slope. 

B 13 



ACC— ACH 

ACCOLADE, s. A ceremony, formerly used in conferring knight- 

hood ; but whether an embrace or a blow, seems not to be settled. 

L. ad, to, and collum, the neck. 
ACCOMMODATE, v. To render a convenience ; to make suitable ; 

to compromise. L. accommodo ; ad, to, and commodo, to lend. 
ACCOMTANY. v. To go with, as a companion; to escort. See 

COMPANY. 
ACCOMTLICE. s. A partner in crime. F. complice; L.. complex ; 

con, together, and plico, to fold. 
ACCOMTLISH. v. To complete ; to execute fully. F. accomplir ; 

L. compleo ; con, with, and pleo, to fill. 
ACCORD', v. To agree. F. accorder ; L. ad, to, and chorda, the 

string of a harp. 
ACCOST', v. To speak to. F. accoster ; from a, to, and cote, (for- 
merly coste) the side ; meaning, to approach. 
ACCOUCHEUR', s. A surgeon who attends a female during her con- 
finement. F. from the L. accumho, to lie down. 
ACCOUNT', s. A computation ; a narrative. F. accompt ; L. con, 

together, and puto, to adjust. 
ACCOU'TRE. v. To equip. F. accoutrer, to dress. 
ACCRED'IT. v. To authorize by a written commission. L. accredo ; 

from ad, to, and credo, to trust. 
ACCRE'TION. s. Act of growing to another thing, so as to increase 

it. L. accretio : accretum, sup. of accresco ; ad, to, and cresco, to 

grow. 
ACCRE'TIVE. adj. Increasing by growth. See ACCRETION. 
ACCRU'E. v. Literally, to grow to ; hence, to arise, proceed, or come. 

F. accroitre ; L. accresco; ad, to, and cresco, to grow. 
ACCU'MULATE. v. To put one heap upon another ; to heap together. 

L. accumulo ; from ad, to, and cumulus, a heap. 
ACCURATE, adj. Exact ; very correct. L. accuratus ; from ad, to, 

and cura, care. 
ACCU'SATIVE. adj. Relating to that case in grammar, upon which 

the action of the verb or preposition terminates. L. accusativus. 

See ACCUSE. 
ACCU'SE. v. To charge with a crime. L. accuso; from causa, a 

cause, or trial. 
ACE. s. One. L. acus, a small point ; or G. heis, one. 
ACER'BITY. s. Sourness ; severity. L. acerbitas ; from acer, sharp, 

or painful ; acer is from acus, a sharp point. 
ACETOM'ETER. s. An instrument for measuring the strength of 

vinegar. L. acetum, vinegar, and G. metron, measure. 
ACE'TOUS. adj. Sour. L. acetum, vinegar. See ACID. 
ACHE. s. Pain. G. aclws, pain. This word may be derived also 

from the, Saxon. 
ACHIEVE', v. To perform ; to accomplish. F. achever : from chef, 

the head or end. 
ACHROMATIC, adj. Destitute of colour. An achromatic telescope 

is formed of a combination of lenses, which separate the variously 

coloured rays of light to equal angles of divergence, at different 

angles of refraction of the mean ray. G. a, without, and chroma, 

colour. 

14 



ACI— ADA 

A'CID. s. A sour substance. L. acidus. G. akidos, gen. of akis, a 

sharp edge, or point. 
ACID'IFY. v. To convert into or become an acid. Acid, and L.Jio, 

to be made. 
ACIDIM'ETER. s. An instrument for ascertaining the strength of 

acids. Acid, and G. ?netron, measure. 
ACIDULATE, v. To make sour. L. From the same root as acid, 

with the addition of latus, brought ; that is, brought to a state of 

acidity. 
ACME. s. The height, especially of a disease. G. akme, the point, 

or edge. 
ACOUS'TICS. s. The doctrine of sounds. G.akoustica; from akouo, 

to hear. 
ACQUIESCE', v. To be satisfied with, either really or apparently. 

L. acquiesco ; from ad, concerning, and quiesco, to become quiet. 
ACQUTRE. v. To gain ; to obtain. L. acquiro ; comp. of ab, from, 

and quaro, to seek. 
ACQUISI'TION. s. Act of acquiring ; thing acquired. L. acquisitio : 

acquisitus, p. part, of acquiro. See ACQUIRE. 
ACQUIT', v. To declare innocent. F. acquitter ; L. a d, to, and quie- 
tus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest, or be quiet. 
ACRID, adj. Of" a hot, biting taste ; bitter. L. acer, sharp. See 

ACID. 
ACRIMONIOUS, adj. Bitter ; severe. L. acrimonia, sharpness ; from 

acer, sharp. 
ACROMAT'ICAL. adj. Belonging to profound learning ; doctrines 

anciently taught by private communication, and delivered viva voce. 

Epoptic, of the same import, is a metaphorical term, borrowed from 

the Eleusinian Mysteries ; in which, those who were admitted to see 

their unhallowed rites, were denominated " EpoptcBy Under this 

head, A. Gellius classes physics, metaphysics, and dialectics. G. 

akromatikos : akros, highest, and mateuo, to seek. 
ACROS'TIC. s. A poem, of which the first letter of every line being 

taken, a particular name is found. G. akros, uttermost, and stichos, 

a verse. 
ACT. s. Something done; agency ; a certain part of a play. L. actus ; 

from ago, to do. 
ACTUAL, adj. Real. F. actuel. See ACT. 
ACU'MEN. s. Acuteness of mental perception. L. acumen; from 

acus, a needle, or sharp point. 
ACUMINATED, adj. Sharpened to a point. L. acuminalus. See 

ACUMEN. 
ACUPUNCTURE, s. Amongst the Chinese, a surgical operation, 

performed by pricking the part affected with a needle, as in head- 
aches and lethargies. L. acus, a needle, and punctura, or punctus, 

a pricking. 
ACU'TE. adj. Ending in a point; of a penetrating mind. L. acutus ; 

from acus. See ACUMEN. 
ADAMAN'TINE. adj. Made of adamant; of impenetrable hardness, 

and great durability. L. adamantinus : adamantis, gen. of adamas, 

a diamond. G. adamas : a, not, and damao, to subdue. 
ADAPT', v. To fit ; to suit. L. adapto ; from ad, to, and apfo, to fit. 

15 



ADD— ADM 

ADD. v. To join ; to perform addition. L. addo ; from ad, to, and 

do, to give. 
ADDENDA. Things to be added. L. addendvs, p. part of addo, to add. 
ADDICT', v. To devote ; commonly taken in a bad sense. L. addic- 
tion, sup. of addico : from ad, to, and dico, to say, or dedicate. 
ADDRESS', s. Dexterity; petition; courtship; manner of addressing 

another. F. addresse: L. ad, to, and directus, p. part, of dirigo : 

from di, signifying separation, and rego, to rule, or guide. 
ADDUCE, v. To offer in argument. L. adduco ; from ad, to, and 

duco, to bring. 
ADDU'CENT. adj. A term applied to those muscles which draw to- 
gether the parts of the body. L. adducens, part, of adduco : ad, to, 

and duco, to draw. 
ADEMP'TION. s. Taking away; privation. L. ademptio ; a, from, 

and demptus, p. part, of demo, to take away. 
ADEPT', s. One completely skilled in a particular art. L. adeptus, 

part, of adipiscor, to obtain. 
ADEQUATE, adj. Equal to: proportionate. L. adequatus ; from 

ad, for, and quilum, sup. of queo, to be able. 
ADME'RE. v. To stick ; to continue firmly fixed. L. adhareo ; from 

ad, to, and hccreo, to stick. 
ADHE'SION. s. Act of adhering. Adhesion is used in the natural, 

and Adherence in the figurative, sense. D. adhcesio ; from adhasus, 

part, ofadhareo. See ADHERE. 
ADIEU', int. Farewell. F. a Dieu, to God; that is, "I commend 

you to God." 
AD INFINITUM. Without end. L. ad, to, infinitum, accus. of in- 

Jinitus, endless. 
ADJACENT, adj. Lying near; neighbouring. L. adjacens ; from 

ad, to, and jacens, part, ofjaceo, to lie. 
ADJECT', v. To place to. L. adjectum, sup. of adjicio ; from ad, to, 

and jacio, to throw. 
ADJECTIVE, s. A word qualifying a noun. L. adjectivum; from ad, 

to, and jactus, p. part, of jacio, to throw. 
ADJOIN', v. To join to ; to be contiguous to. F. adjoindre : L. ad, 

to, and jungo, to join. 
ADJOURN', v. To put off to another day, or to another time of the 

same day. F. adjourner ; from a, to, and jour, a day. 
ADJUDICATION, s. The act of judging, or of granting something 

by a judicial sentence. L. adjudicatio ; adjudico, to give sentence: 

judex, a judge. 
ADJUNCT, adj. Joined to ; assistant. L. adjunctus, p. part, of ad- 

jungo. See ADJOIN. 
ADJURE, v. To impose an oath, Sec. L. adjuro ; from ad, concern- 

ing, and juro, to swear. 
ADJUST, v. To regulate; to render conformable. F. adjuster: L. 

ad, to, and Justus, right. 
AD'JUTANT. s. An assistant military officer. F. adjutant : L. ad, 

to, and juium, sup. of juvo, to help. 
AD LIBITUM. At pleasure. L. ad, to, libitum, the will. 
ADMINISTER, v. To give ; to perform. L. administro. See MIN- 
ISTER. 

16 



ADM— ADV 

ADMI'RE. v. To regard with wonder, or pleasure. L. admirer ; from 

ad, at, and miror, to wonder. 
ADMISSIBLE, adj. That may be admitted. L. admissus,,\>. part. 

ofadmitto. See ADMIT. 
ADMIT, v. To let in, or grant. L. admitto ; from ad, into, and mitto, 

to send. 
ADMIX', v. To mingle. L. admixtum, sup. of admisceo ; comp. of 

ad, to, and misceo, to mix. 
ADMON ISH. v. To warn of a fault ; to reprove gently. L. admoneo ; 

from ad, to, and moneo, to advise. 
ADOLES'CENCE. s. The age succeeding childhood. L. adulescentia ; 

from adolesco, to grow. 
ADOPT', w. To receive as our own. L. adopto ; from ad, to, and opto, 

to select. 
ADO'RE. v. To worship with external homage. L. o^oro ; from ad, 

to, and oro, to speak or entreat. 
ADORN', v. To deck or decorate; to make beautiful. L. adorno : 

ad, to, and orno, to deck ; probably from the G. ornis, a bird. 
AD QUOD DAMNUM. The title of a writ of inquiry, to ascertain 

what injury may possibly be done, by the erection of a new market, 

&c, to another market already established. L. ad, concerning, quod, 

what, damnum, loss. 
ADROIT', adj. Dexterous ; skilful ; active. F. adroit ; a, to, and droit, 

the right hand. 
ADSTRIC TION. s. Act of binding together. L. adstrictio ; ad, to, 

and strictus, p. part, of stringo, to bind. 
ADULA'TION. s. Extreme flattery. L. adulatio, the fawning of a 

dog; G. skulakion, gen. of kuon, a dog. 
ADULT', s. A person full grown. L. adultus, (p. part, of adoleo) 

grown up. 
ADUL'TERATE. v. To corrupt, debase, or make impure, by the ad- 
mixture of baser materials. L. adulter o : from adulter, mixed: ad, 

to, and alter, another. 
ADUM'BRATE. v. To give a faint shadow, or slight likeness. L. 

adumhro : umbra, a shadow. 
ADUST', adj. Burned up; scorched. L. adustus, p. part, of aduro, 

lo burn. 
AD VALOREM. According to the value. L. ad, according to, 

valorem, accus. of valor, value. 
ADVANCE', v. To go, or come, forward ; to bring forward ; to give 

or to lend before the regular time. F. avancer ; avant, before. 
ADVAN'TAGE. s. Gain ; superiority. F. avantage. See ADVANCE. 
AD'VENT. s. A holy season, during four weeks immediately before 

Christmas. L. advent us, the coming [of the Redeemer.] 
ADVENTITIOUS, adj. Accidental; extrinsic. L. adveniitius ; from 

ad, to, and vtntum, sup. ofvenio, to come. 
ADVENTURE, s. A chance ; a hazard ; an enterprise. F. aventure ; 

L. adventurus, about to happen ; from advenio : ad, to, and venio, to 

comp. 

ADVERB, s. A word joined to another word. L. adverbium ; from 
ad, to, and vcrbum, a word. 

b* 17 



ADV— AFF 

ADVERSE, adj. Opposing ; hostile. L. adversus ; from ad, against, 

and versus, p. part, of verto, to turn. 
ADVERT', v. To attend to; to speak of. L. adverio ; from ad, to, 

and vc.rto, to turn. 
ADVERTISE, v. To inform ; to make public. L. ad, to, and verto, 

to turn [attention.] See ADVERT. 
ADVISE, v. To counsel; to consult ; to inform. F. aviser, (formerly 

adviser ;) from ad, upon, and visum, (sup. of video) to see, or consi- 
der. 
ADVOCATE, s. One who pleads for another, or who speaks in favour 

of any measure. L. advocatus ; from ad, for, and voco, to call out, 

or speak. 
ADVOLU'TION. s. The act of flying towards. L. advolo : ad, to, 

and volo, to fly. 
ADVOLU TION. s. The a.ct of rolling towards. L. advolutio ; from 

ad, to, and volutus, p. part, of volvo, to roll. 
ADVOW'SON. s. The right of presentation to a church, or ecclesias- 
tical benefice. L. advocatio : ad, to, and voco, to call. 
AERIFORM, adj. Gaseous; having the form of air. L. air, air, and 

forma, shape. 
2Ei ROLITE. s. A solid substance, that has fallen out of the air, as a 

meteoric stone, &c. G. air, air, and lithos, a stone. 
AEROL'OGY. s. The doctrine of the atmosphere. G. aer, air, and 

logos, a description. 
AEROM'ETRY. s. The art of measuring the air. G. aer, air, and 

metreo, to measure. 
A'ERONAUT. s. One who ascends in a balloon. L. air, the air, and 

nauta, a sailor. G. aer, and nautes. 
AEROSTATION, s. Aerial navigation; the science of guiding ma- 
chines in the air. G. aer, air, and staios, sustaining : istemi, to 

stand. 
AFFABLE, adj. Aceostable; agreeable in discourse. F. affable; L. 

ad, to, and fabulor, to speak; that is, an affable person is one who 

may be spoken to. 
AFFAIR', s. Business. F. affaire ; from faire, to do; L. facer e, infin. 

of facio, to do. 
AFFECT', v. To influence; to pretend. L. affectum, sup. of officio ; 

comp. of ad, to, and facio, to do. 
AFFECTION, s. Love : personal attachment ; state of being affected. 

L. affectio. See AFFECT. 
AFFIDAVIT, s. A declaration upon oath. L. This word is con- 
tracted from an expression of the common law, — ad Jidem dedit ; 

that is, he has given assurance concerning [this matter.] 
AFFILTATE. v. To associate, ally, or unite with. L. ad, to, and 

jilius, a son or child. 
AFFINITY, s. Relation by marriage, opposed to consanguinity, or 

relation by birth ; connexion with ; resemblance to. L. ajfinitas ; 

from ad^ to, zndjinis, a boundary, or border. 
AFFIRM', v. To ratify; to declare. L. afjirmo ; from ad, concerning, 

and Jirpw, to establish. 
AFFIX', v. To unite to the end; to subjoin; to connect with. L. 

affixum, sup. of affigo ; from ad, to, andjSgo, to fasten. 

18 



AFF— AID 

AFFLA'TION. s. Act of breathing upon. L. afflatus, p. part, of 

afflo: ad, to or upon, and jio, to blow. 
AFFLICT', v. To cause pain. L. afflictum, sup. of affligo ; from ad % 

against, and fligo, to dash. 
AF FLUENT, adj. Flowing to any part ; abundant ; wealthy. L. 

affluens, part. oT affluo ; from ad, to, a.nd Jluo, to flow. 
AFFLUX, s. The act of flowing to; the thing which flows. L. 

affluxus ; from affluo : ad, to, and fluo, to flow. 
AFFRAY', s. The fighting of two or more persons, in some public 

place, and causing terror to others. F. effrayer, (formerly effriger) 

to terrify. 
AFFRIC'TION. s. Act of rubbing one thing upon another. L. affric- 

tus; ad, to, or against, and frico, to rub. 
AFFRONT', v. Literally, to meet or encounter face to face : but this 

sense is obsolete : — to offer abuse to the face ; to insult, dare, or 

brave openly. F. affronter ; L. ad, to, and frons, the front or face. 
AFFU'SION. s. The act of pouring one thing upon another. L. affu- 

sio ; affusus, p. part, ofaffundo: ad, upon, andfundo, to pour. 
A FORTIORI. With stronger reason. L. a, with, fortiori, abl. of 

fortior, stronger. 
A'GENT. s. One who transacts business for another ; that which acts. 

L. a gens, part, ox ago, to act. 
AGGERATE. v. To heap up. L. agger, a heap : ad, to, and gero, to 

carry. 
AGGLOMERATE, v. To come together, as a ball. L. agglomero ; 

from ad, to, and glomus, a ball of yarn. 
AGGLUTINATE, v. To join : (used chiefly in medical language :) 

L. agglutino: ad, to, and gluten, glue. 
AG'GRANDIZE. v. To make great ; to increase in power. F. ag- 

grandiser ; from grand, great. L. grandis. 
AGGRAVATE, v. To make heavier : (used only in a metaphorical 

sense ;) to make worse. L. aggravo ; from ad, and gravo, to bur- 
then. 
AG'GREGATE. s. The entire ; the collective result. L. aggrego, to 

accumulate; from grex, a flock. 
AGGRES'SION. s. An unprovoked injury. L. aggressio ; from ad, 

towards, and gradus, a step. 
AGIL'ITY. s. Activity. F. agilite ; L. agilitas ; from ago, to act. 
AGITATE, v. To shake violently. L. agito, freq. of ago, to act. 
AGNA'TE. adj. Related or akin by the father's side. L. agnatus ; 

ad, and nascor, to be born. 
AGONIST, s. One who contends for the prize in public games. G. 

ogonizo, to strive. 
AGONY, s. Extreme pain. G. agon, a struggle, or contention. 
AGRA'RIAN. adj. Relating to land. L. agrarius ; from ager, a field. 
AGRES'TIC. adj. Rural ; rustic ; pertaining to fields, or the country, 

in opposition to the citv. L. agrestis ; ager, a field. 
AGRICULTURE, s. The art of cultivating the ground; tillage. L. 

agricultural ager, a field, and cultus, p. part, of colo, to till. 
AID. v. To help, to assist. F. aider: L. adjuto, to help. 
AID-DE-CAMP. s. A.n officer who conveys the orders of a military 

commander. F. aide, an assistant, de, of, camp, the camp. 

19 



AIS— ALL 

AISLE, s. The wing of a quire ; a walk in a church. F. axle, a wing ; 

L. ala. 
ALACRITY, s. Cheerful speed. L. alacritas ; from ala, a wing. 
A-LA-MODE. F. a la mode, according to the fashion. 
ALARM', s. Notice of danger. F. a Varmes I (aux armes .') to arms ! 
AL A'TED. adj. Winged ; having dilations like Wings. L. alutus : 

al-i, a wing. 
ALBESCENT, adj. Becoming white. L. albescens, part, of albesco ; 

ai'ous, white. 
ALBINO, s. A descendant of coloured parents, unnaturally white. 

L. albus, white. 
AL'BUM. s. A book with unwritten leaves. L. albus, white. 
AL'BUMEN. s. That which forms the serum of the blood, the white 

of egg.s, &c. L. alburn, the white of an egg. 
AL'CHEMY. s. Formerly signified the most abstruse part of che- 
mistry, as the attempt to transmute common metals into gold ; but 

it is no longer ranked amongst the sciences. Arabic. 
AL'CHYMY. s. See ALCHEMY. 

ALERT', adj. Brisk; watchful. Y.alerte; L. ala, a wing. 
ALEXAN'DRINE. s. A kind of verse, consisting of twelve syllables, 

or of twelve and thirteen alternately ; so called from a poem, written, 

in French, on the life of Alexander. 
A' LIAS. Otherwise ; or : — thus ; " Donnel, alias O'Donnell. 1 ' L. alias, 

in another manner. 
ALIBI. Means that the accused was absent when the crime was 

committed. L. alibi, elsewhere. 
A'LIEN. s. A foreigner. L. alienus, from alius, another. 
A'LIENATE. v. To transfer to another ; to withdraw the affections. 

L. alieno. See ALIEN. 
ALIF'EROUS. adj. Having wings. L. ala, a wing, and gero, to bear. 
ALFGEROUS. adj. Having wings. L. ala, a win g, and gero, to bear, 

or carry. 
ALTMENT. s. Food. L. alimentum ; from alo, to nourish. 
ALTMONY. s. Legal allowance by a husband to his wife, after se- 
paration. L. alimonia ; from alo, to nourish. 
ALTQLOT. adj. Even ; without a remainder, — as 2 is an aliquot 

part of 10. L. aliquot ; from aliquolies, certain times. 
ALLEGA'TION. s. Affirmation ; thing alleged. L. allegatio. See 

ALLEGE. 
ALLE'GE. v. To affirm; to maintain; to declare. L. allego ; from 

ad, to, and lego, to impute. 
ALLEGIANCE, s. The duty of a subject. F. allegeance; L. ad, to, 

and legem, accus. of lex, a law. 
AL'LEGORY. s. A figurative relation. G. allegoria ; from alios, 

another, and agora, a speech. 
AL'LEY. s. A walk in a garden ; a narrow passage or way in a town. 

F. allce : aller, to go. 
ALLE'VIATE. v. To lighten. L. allevo ; ab, from, and leva, to lift. 
ALLI'ANCE. s. Connexion ; a league. F. alliance. See ALLY. 
ALLIGATION, s. The arithmetical rule which teaches to adjust the 

price of compounds, formed of several ingredients of different value. 

L. alligatio ; from alligo ; ad, together, and Ugo, to bind. 

20 



ALL— AMB 

ALLITERATION, s. Beginning several successive words with the 

same letter. L. ad, and liter a [adhering] to a letter. 
ALLOC ATION. s. Act of putting one thing to another. L. ad, to, 

and locus, a place. 
ALLODIAL, adj. Allodial lands are those which are not held under 

any superior. In England, all lands are held under the crown. 

The etymology of this word is uncertain. 
ALLU'DE. v. To speak of indirectly ; to hint at. L. alludo ; from 

ad, towards, and ludo, to play, — perhaps, originally used respecting 

the episodes of a lively composition. 
ALLU'RE. v. To entice. F. a, to, and leurre, a decoy, or bait. 
ALLU'SION. s. Indirect reference ; a hint. L. See ALLUDE. 
ALLU' VI AL. adj. Relating to alluvion ; consisting of alluvion. 
ALLU'VION. s. That which is carried by a flood ; as land formed 

near a river. F. alluvion : L. alluvio, an inundation of water ; aU 

luo, to flow near to : ad, to, and luo, to wash away. 
AL'LY. s. A confederate. F. allie ; a, to, and Her, (L. ligo) to tie. 
AL'FHA TO OMEGA. From the beginning to the end: alpha is 

the first, and omega the last letter, of the Greek alphabet. 
AL'PHABET. s. The letters of a language. G. alpha and beta, the 

first two letters of the Greek alphabet. 
AL'TAR. s. A place raised for worship. L. altar e ; from alius, 

high. 
ALTER, s. To change. L. alter, another. 
ALTERCA'TION. s. Dispute. F. altercation : L. altercatio ; from 

alterco, to contend. 
ALTERNATIVE, s. Choice of two things. F. alternatif ; L. alter, 

another. 
ALTER'NETER. s. An instrument for measuring altitudes by geo- 
metrical principles. L. altus, high, and G. metron, measure. 
AL'TITUDE. s. Height. L. altitudo ; from altus, high. 
ALUMNI, s. Pupils ; youths who have been educated at any parti- 

cular college. L. pi. of alumnus, a pupil, or foster child : from alo, 

to nourish. 
AMAL'GAM. s. A composition of metals. G. ama, together, and 

gameo, to marry. 
AMAL'GAM ATE. v. To form into amalgam; to unite intimately. 

See AMALGAM. 
AMANUEN'SIS. s. A writer employed by an author, &c. L. ama. 

nuensis ; from ad, in place of, and manus, a hand. 
AMASS', v. To accumulate. F. amasser ; L. ad, to, and massa, a 

heap. 
AMATEUR', s. A lover of any particular pursuit or system. F. ama- 

tear ; L. amator, a lover ; from amo, to love. 
AM'ATORY. adj. Relating to love ; containing sentiments of love. 

L. amator, a lover; from amo, to love. 
AM'AZON. s. One of the warlike nation of women who inhabited 

Caucasus ; said to have cut off their right breast, that they might 

the more easily use their weapons. G. a, not, and mazos, a breast. 
AMBASSADOR, s. A person sent, in a public manner, from one 

sovereign power to another. F. ambassadeur ; L. ambio, to go 

about, or make interest for. 

21 



A MB— AMP 

AMBIDEXTROUS, adj. Expert with both hands. L. ambidexter ; 

from ambo, both, and dexter, right-handed. 
AM'BIENT. adj. Surrounding ; encompassing. L. ambiens, part, of 

ambio, to go about or encompass. 
AMBIG'UOUS. adj. Having a double meaning ; doubtful. L. ambu 

guus ; from ambo, both. 
AMBIL OQUY. s. Use of doubtful expressions. L. ambo, both, and 

loquor, to speak. 
AMBITION, s. Desire of eminence. L. ambitio ; from ambio, to go 

about, or solicit. 
AM'BLE. v. To move with an easy, peculiar pace. F. ambler : L. 

ambulo, freq. of ambio, to go about. 
AMBRO'SI A. s. The imaginary food of the gods. G. ambrosia ; from 

ambrotos, immortal. 
AMBULATE, v. To walk about. L. ambulo ; from ambio, to go 

about. 
AMBUSCA'DE. s. A hostile concealment ; ambush. F. embuscade ; 

en, in, and bois, a wood. 
AM'BUSH. s. An ambuscade. F. embuche : en, in, and bois, a wood. 
AMEN' ABLE. adj. Responsible ; tractable. F. amesnable ; amener, 

to lead. 
AMEND', v. To reform ; to correct. L. emendo ; comp. of e, from, 

and menda, a blemish. 
AMELIORATE, v. To make better ; to improve ; to meliorate. See 

MELIORATE. 
AMENITY", s. Pleasantness; agreeableness. L. amoenitas ; G. ame- 

nitos ; a, without, and menis, anger. 
A MEN'SA ET THO'RO. From bed and board; a term used to 

denote a partial divorce, distinguished from de vinculo matrimonii, 

which signifies a total divorce. L. a, from, mensa, a table, et, and, 

thoro, abl. ofthorus, a bed. 
A'MIABLE. adj. Lovely ; virtuous. F. aimable : L. amo, to love. 
AMTCABLE. adj. Friendly ; peaceable. L. amicabilis ; from amo, 

to love. 
AMTTY. s. Friendship ; peace. F. amitie ; L. amicitia : amo, to love. 
AMMUNITION, s. Military stores ; materials for loading a gun. 

L. ad, to, and munio, to fortify. 
AM'NESTY. s. An act of oblivion. G. amnestia ; from a, not, and 

mnesis, memory. 
AM'OROUS. adj. Loving ; lustful. L. amor, love. 
AMOR- PA' TRUE. The love of one's country. L. amor, love, pa. 

trice, sfen. of patria, a country. 
AMOTION, s. A term used, in law, to denote a violent removing, or 

displacing. L. amotum, sup. of amoveo : a, from, and moveo, to 

move. 
AMPHIB'IOUS. adj. Capable of living on land, or in water. G. am. 

phibious : amphi, opposite, and bios, life. 
AMPHITHE'ATRE. s. A circular or oval building ; of which, the 

area, or pit, is reserved for exhibitions, and surrounded by seats, one 

above another. G. amphitheatron ; from amphi, around, and tliea- 

tron, a theatre : from theotnai, to see or look. 
AM'PLE. adj. Large; wide; sufficient. F. ample ; L. amplus, large. 

22 






AMP— ANE 

AMTLIFY. v. To enlarge. F. amplifier ; L. ampins, large, and Jio, 

to \e made. 
AMPUTATE, v. To cut off. L. amputo, comp. of ab, from, and 

puto, to lop. 
AMULET, s. A sort of charm, worn about the person. L. amu- 

letum : probably, from amolior, to remove, or put away with diffi- 
culty. 
AMU'SE. v. To entertain; to deceive by artful management. F« 

amuser ; L. musa, a song, or poem. 
ANABAP'TIST. s. One who opposes the baptism of infants. G. ana, 

again, and bapto, to wash; because the original followers of that 

doctrine had been christened when children, and were again bap. 

tized, when adults, by immersion. 
ANA'CHRONISM. s. Error in computing time. F. anachronisme ; 

G. ana, against, and chronos, time. 
ANACREON'TIQUE. s. A poem in the manner of Anacreon, of 

Jonia ; who wrote in Greek. 
AN'AGRAM. s. A conceit, arising from the transposition of letters. 

G. ana, opposite to, or backwards, and gramma, a letter. 
ANALEC'TIC. adj. Selecting. G. ana, again, and lektos, collected. 
ANALOGY, s. Resemblance, with regard to some circumstances or 

effects. F. analogie; G. analogia; from ana, with, and logos, a word. 
ANAL'YSIS. s. Separation. G. analusis ; from ana, separately, and 

luo, to dissolve. 
ANALYTTC, or ANALYTICAL. By analysis; examining mi- 
nutely. See ANALYSIS. 
ANARCHY, s. Want of government ; national confusion, G. anar- 

chia ; from a, without, and arche, government. 
ANA'THEMA. s. A curse, pronounced by ecclesiastical authority ; 

excommunication. G. anathema : ana, denoting separation, and 

tithemi, to place. 
ANAT'OMY. s. The art of dissection. G. anatomia ; from ana, 

through, and temno, to cut. 
ANCESTOR, s. One from whom a person is remotely descended. L. 

antecessor ; from ante, before, and cessum, sup. of cedo, to go. 
ANCH'OR. s. An instrument for holding a ship in a certain place. L. 

anchor a ; G. ankvros, a hook. 
ANCH'ORET, or ANCH'ORITE. s. A hermit ; a recluse. G. ana- 

choretes: ana, separately, and choreo, to go. 
AN'CIENT. adj. Past ; former ; of great age. F. ancien ; L. ante, 

before. 
ANCIL'LARY. adj. Subservient. L. ancilla, a maid-servant. 
ANDROI'D. s. x\n automaton of human form. G. aner, a man, and 

eidos, form. 
ANECDOTE, s. Secret history ; biographical incident. G. anekdo- 

ton ; from a, not, and ekdidoni, to publish. 
ANEMOG'RAPHY. s. Description of the cause of the winds. G. 

anemos, the wind, and grapho, to write. 
ANEMOM'ETER. s. An instrument for measuring the power or ve- 
locity of the wind. G. anemos, the wind, and metreo, to measure. 
ANEM'OSCOPE. s. An instrument to show the direction of the wind. 

G. anemos, the wind, and skopeo, to view. 

23 



ANE— ANO 

AN'EURISM. s. An irregular dilation of an artery. G. aneuro, to 

dilate. 
AN'GEL. s. A celestial inhabitant, or messenger. G. angelos : an- 

gello, to deliver a message. 
ANG'ER. s. Severe displeasure ; wrath. L. ango ; G. ancho, to choke, 

strangle, or vex. 
ANG'LE. s. A term in geometry. L. angulus, a corner. 
ANG'LICE'. In English. L. 

ANG UISH. s. Excessive pain. F. angoisse ; L. ango, to strangle. 
ANHELA'TION. s. Shortness of breath; a panting. L. anhelo: halo, 

to breathe. 
ANIL' IT Y. s. The state of being an old woman ; dotage. L. anili- 

tas ; anus, an old woman. 
ANIMADVERT', v. To consider; to observe; to censure. L. ani- 

madverto ; from animus, the mind, ad, to, verto, to turn. 
ANTMAL. s. A living creature. L. animal, a living creature ; G. 

anima, breath. 
ANIMATE, v. To give life ; to enliven. L. animo. See ANIMAL. 
ANIMOSTTY. s. Vehement hatred. L. animositas ; from animus, 

spirit, passion. 
AN'NALS. s. History, in which the events are recorded in yearly 

succession. L. annales ; from annus, a year. 
ANNEX', v. To join to ; to unite. L. annezum, sup. of annecto ; ad, 

to, and necto, to link or tie together. 
ANNI'HILATE. v. To destroy. L. ad, to, and nihil, nothing. 
ANNIVER'SARY. s. "Yearly return. L. anniversarius ; from anni, 

of a year, and versus, a turning : annus and verto. 
ANNO DOMINI, or A. D. The sign of the Christian era. L. anno, 

in the year, Domini, of our Lord. 
ANNO MUNDI, or A. M. A term in chronology, referring to the 

creation. L. anno, in the year, mundi, of the world. 
AN NOTATOR. s. One who writes notes ; a commentator. L. anno- 

tator ; from ad, concerning, and noto, to mark. 
ANNOUNCE', v. To proclaim. L. annuncio ; from ad, to, and nuncio, 

to relate. 
ANNO UR'BIS CONDITM, or A. U. C. A term in Roman chro- 
nology. L. anno, in the year, urbis, of the city, (Rome,) condita, 

being built. 
ANNOY', v. To molest ; to teaze. F. nuire, to hurt ; L. ad, to, and 

noceo, to hurt. 
AN'NUAL. adj. Yearly. F. annuel : L. annus, a year. 
ANNUITY, s. Yearly allowance. F. annuite ; L. annus, a year, and 

itum, sup. of eo, to go, or proceed. 
ANNUL', v. To make void. L. ad, to, and nullus, of no account. 
ANNULAR, adj. In the form of a ring. L. annulus, a ring. 
ANODYNE, s. A mitigator of pain. G. ana, against, and odune, 

pain. 
ANOINT', v. To pour oil upon ; to consecrate by unction, or the use 

of oil. F. oint, part, of oindre ; L. ad, to, and unctus, p. part, of 

ungo, to smear. 
ANOM'ALOUS. adj. Irregular. G. a, without, and nomos, a 

law. 

24 



ANO— ANT 

ANON'YMOUS. adj. Without a name. L. anonymus : G. anonumos : 

a, without, and onuma, a name. 
ANTAGONIST, s. An opponent. F. antagoniste : G. anti, against, 

and agonizo, to contend. 
ANTARCTIC, adj. A term in astronomy. G. anti, opposite, and 

arctic. 
ANTECE'DENT. s. That which goes before. L. antecedens ; from 

ante, before, and cedens, part, of cedo, to go. 
ANTECES'SOR. s. One that goes before. L. See ANTECEDENT. 
AN'TECHAMBER. s. A chamber that leads to the chief apartment. 

L. ante, before, and chamber. 
ANTEDATE, v. To date earlier than the proper time. L. ante, be- 

fore, and date. 
ANTEDILUVIAN, adj. Existing before the flood. L. ante, before, 

and diluvium, a deluge. 
ANTEMERIDIAN, or A. M. L. ante, before, meridies, noon. 
ANTEMUN'DANE. adj. Before the creation of the world. L. ante, 

before, and mundus, the world. 
ANTEN'NiE. s. In zoology, the horns or feelers of insects, projecting 

from the head. L. antenna, a sail-yard. 
AN'TEPENULT. s. The last syllable except two. L. antepenuHjma ; 

ante, before, pene, almost, ultimus, the last. 
ANTE'RIOR. adj. Going before; previous. L. anterior, the compar. 

form of ante, before. 
AN'THEM. s. A hymn, sung in alternate parts ; any holy song. G. 

anthumnos ; from anti, opposite to, and humneo, to sing in verse, or 

to praise. 
ANTHOL'OGY. s. A collection of beautiful passages from authors ; 

a collection of poems or epigrams. In the Greek church, a collection 

of devotional pieces. G. anthos, a flower, and logos, a discourse, or 

logia, a collection. 
AN'THRACITE. adj. Composed chiefly of carbon ; not bituminous. 

G. anthrax, a coal. 
ANTHROPOPHAGI, s. Eaters of human flesh. G. anthropos, a 

man, and phago, to eat. 
ANTICHRIS'TIAN. adj. Opposed to Christianity. G. anti, against, 

and Christian. 
ANTI'CIPATE. v. To act or think before an event. L. anticipo ; 

from ante, before, and capio, to take. 
AN'TIC. adj. Strange ; ridiculous. L. antiquus, ancient. 
ANTICLI'MAX. s. A sentence, of which the last part expresses some- 
thing lower than the first. G. anti, opposite to, and climax. 
ANTIDOTE, s. A remedy for poison. G. antidotos ; from anti, 

against, and dotos, part, of didomi, to give. 
ANTIFEB'RILE. adj. Efficacious against fever. G. anti, against, 

and L. febris, a fever. 
ANTIFED'ERALIST. s. A person who was opposed to the tenor of 

the federal constitution of the United States of America. G. anti, 

against, and federalist. 
ANTIL'OGY. s. A contradiction between any words or passages in 

ail author. G. anti, against, and logos, speech. 
ANTIPATHY, s. Fixed dislike. G. anti, against, and pathos, feeling. 
c 25 



ANT— APE 

ANTI'PHONY. s. The answer of one choir to another, when an an- 
them or psalm is sung by two choirs; alternate singing 1 ; the words 

given out at the beginning of a psalm, to which both the choirs are 

to accommodate their singing. G. anti, against, and phone, voice. 
ANTI'PHRASIS. s. An expression in which the words are used in a 

sense opposite to their just meaning. G. anti, opposite to, and 

phrasis, a form of speech. 
ANTIP'ODES. s. People who live on opposite meridians, and in op- 

posite latitudes. G. anti, opposite to, and podes, feet. 
ANTIPOL'OMIST. s. One opposed to war. G. anti, against, and 

polemos, war. " 
AN'TIQUARY. s. A searcher of ancient things. L. antiquarius ; 

from ante, before, and qucero, to seek. 
AN'TIQUATE. v. To make obsolete. L. antiquo. See ANTI- 

QUARY. 
ANTISCORBUTIC, adj. Efficacious against scurvy. G. anti, against, 

and scorbutic. 
ANTISEP'TIC. adj. Preventive of putrefaction. F. antiseptique : G. 

anti, against, and sepo, to putrefy. 
ANTISPASMODIC, adj. Efficacious against cramp. G. anti, against, 

and spasmos, the cramp; spao, to draw. 
ANTITH'ESIS. s. Contrast in words. G. antithesis; from anti, 

against, and thesis, a position; tithemi, to place. 
ANTIS'TASIS. s. In oratory, the defence of an action, from the con- 

sideration that if it had been omitted, something worse would have 

happened. G. anti, opposite, and stasis, station. 
ANTISTROPHE'. s. In grammar, the changing of things mutually 

depending on each other. Amongst the ancients, that part of a song 

or dance, before the altar, which was performed by turning from 

west to east, in opposition to the strophe. G. anti, opposite, and 

strophe, a turning. 
ANTITHETIC, adj. Placed in contrast. See ANTITHESIS. 
ANTCE'CI. s. People who live in opposite latitudes, on the same me- 
ridian. G. anti, opposite to, and oikeo, to dwell. 
AN'TRILE. adj. Relating or belonging to a den or cavern. L. an- 

trvm, a den. 
ANXPETY. s. Trouble of mind, about a future event. L. anxietas ; 

from angor, anguish : ango, to strangle. 
A'ORIST. s. The name of certain tenses in the grammar of the Greek 

language, which express time indeterminate, that is, either past, 

present, or future. G. aoristos, indefinite. 
APARTMENT, s. A separate room ; a chamber. F. apartement : 

L. a, from, and pars, a part. 
A'PATHY. s. Want of feeling, or of passion. G. a, without, and 

pathos, feeling. 
APEP'SIA, or APEPSY. s. Want of natural concoction ; vulgarly, a 

heart-burn. G. apepsia ; from a, not, and pepto, to boil, or digest. 
APERIENT, adj. Gentle purgative. L. aperiens, part, of aperio, to 

open. 
AP'ERTURE. s. An opening. L. apertura ; from aperio, to open. 
AP'EX. s. The point. L. apex, the top. 

26 






APH— APP 

APHELION, s. That part in the orbit of any planet, which is the 

most remote from the sun. G. apo, from, and helios, the sun. 
APHCE'RISIS. s. A figure of speech, by which a letter or syllable is 

taken from the beginning of a word. G. aphairesis ; comp, of apo, 

from, and aireo, to take. 
A'PHORISM. s. A maxim ; a precept contracted into a short sentence. 

G. aphorismos ; comp. of apo, from, and orizo, to separate or define. 
AP'IARY. s. A place for bees. L. apis, a bee. 
APOCALYPSE, s. Revelation; the last book of the New Testament. 

G. apokalupto, to uncover. 
APOCRYPHAL, adj. Of uncertain authority. G. apo, far off, and 

krupto, to hide. 
AP'OGEE. s. A point in the heavens, in which the sun, or a planet, 

is at the greatest distance from the earth. G. apo, from, and ge, the 

earth. 
AP'OLOGUE. s. A kind of fable. G. apologos ; from apo, far off, and 

logos, a discourse ; alluding to the nature of fable ; which inculcates 

one thing by the relation of another. 
APOL'OGY. s. Excuse. G. apologia ; from apo, after, and logos, a 

speech ; that is, an explanation subsequent to the offence. 
APOPLEXY, s. A general deprivation of animal sensation. G. apo- 

plexia ; from apo, from, and plesso, to strike. 
APOSTATE, s. One who has deserted his former profession, either 

in politics or religion. G. apostates ; apo, from, and estaotos, part. 

ofistimi, to stand. 
A POSTERIO' RI. From the latter ; a phrase, in logic, opposed to 

a priori, and used in reasoning from an effect to its cause. L. a, 

from, and posteriori, abl. of posterior, the latter. 
APOS'TLE. s. A person deputed. G. apostolos ; from apo, from, and 

stello, to send. 
APOSTROPHE', s. A diversion of speech, to another person or thing. 

G. apostrophe : comp. of apo, from, and strepho, to turn. 
APOTHECARY, s. A compounder of medicines. L. apotheca, a 

wine-cellar, or store-house : G. apo, from, and theke, a depository. 
AP'OTHEGM, or AP'OPHTHEGM. s. A pointed sentiment; a 

maxim delivered extempore. G. apophthegma : apo, without- [consi- 
deration] , and phthengomai, to speak. 
APOTHE'OSIS. s. Heathenish deification. G. apotheosis : from apo, 

(a word of multifarious signification,) and theos, a god. 
APPAL', v. To affright. F. appalir ; L. ad, at, palleo, to look 

pale. 
APT AN AGE. s. An appurtenance of land. F. apanage ; from ap- 

pendre, to hang : L. ad, to, and pendo, to hang. 
APPARATUS, s. Utgnsils; philosophical instruments. L. appara- 
tus ; from ad, for, and paro, to prepare. 
APPAR'EL. s. Dress ; habiliments. F. appareil, furniture. See 

APPARATUS. 
APPA'RENT. adj. Easily seen ; seeming, not real. L. apparens, 

part, ofappareo; from ad, to, and pareo, to appear. 
APPARITION, s. An ideal spectre. L. appareo, to appear. 
APPEAL', v. To remove a cause from a lower, to a higher tribunal; 

to refer. L. apcllo, to applv to : ad and pello. 

27 



APP— APP 

APPEAR', v. To come in view ; to be apparent. L. appareo, to ap- 
pear ; ad and pareo. 
APPE'ASE. v. To quiet. F. appetiser ; a, to, and paix, peace : L. 

ad and pax. 
APPEL'LATE. adj. Appellate jurisdiction is the power of hearing 

appeals. See APPEAL. 
APPELL A'TION. s. A name. L. appellatio ; appello, to call ; from 

ad, to, and pello, to strike or effect : so as to draw attention. 
APPEND', v. To hang or attach. L. appendo : ad, to, and pendo, to 

hang. 
APPEN'DIX. s. A supplement. L. appendix. See APPEND. 
APPERTAIN', v. To belong (with to.) F. appartenir ; L. ad, to, 

and perteneo, to belong : perteneo is from per, by, and teneo, to hold. 
AP'PETENCE. s. Strong desire. L. appetens, part, of appeto, to de- 
sire ; ad, for, and peto, to seek. 
APPETITE, s. Desire; keenness of stomach. L. appetitio ; from 

ad, for, and peto, to seek. 
APPLAUD', v. To praise, by clapping the hands ; to praise aloud. 

L. applaudo : ad, to, and laudo, or plaudo, to give praise. 
AP'PLICABLE. adj. Suitable; attributable. F. applicable. See 

APPLY. 
APPLY', v. To join; to have recourse (with to.) L.applico; from 

ad, to, and plico, to fold. 
APPOINT, v. To fix, or mark out. F. appointer ; L. ad, to, and 

punctum, sup. of pungo. See POINT. 
APPORTION, v. To assign in just proportion. L. ad, to, and por- 
tion. 
AP'POSITE. adj. Proper ; appropriate. L. appositus ; from ad, to, 

and positvs, p. part, of pono, to place. 
APPOSITION, s. Addition of new matter ; agreement of nouns. L. 

appositio. See APPOSITE. 
APPRAISE, v. To fix a price on. F. apprecier ; L. ad, to, and pre- 

tium, a price. 
APPRECIATE, v. To value at a just rate or price. F. apprecier. 

See APPRAISE. 
APPREHEND', v. To seize; to understand. L. apprehendo ; from 

ad, to or at, and prehendo, to catch. 
APPRENTICE, s. One who is bound by covenant to remain with 

another for a certain period, in order that he may acquire knowledge 

of an art or trade. F. apprenti : apprendre, to learn : L. apprehendo. 
APPRI'ZE. v. To inform. F. appris, part, of apprendre, to inform. 
APPROACH', v. To come near. F. approcher ; from a, to, and 

proche, near : L. ad, to, and proximus, next. 
APPROBATION, s. Approval. L. approbatio. See APPROVE. 
APPRO'PRIATE. v. To assign to some particular use. L. ad, to, 

and proprius, special or particular. 
APPRO'VE. v. To like; to be pleased with. F. approuver : L.ap. 

probo, to approve. 
APPROXIMATE, v.- To approach. L. ad, to, and proximus, next. 
APPUL'SION. s. The act of striking against, by a moving body. L. 

appulsus : ad, and pulsus, p. part, of pello, to drive. 
APPURTENANCE, s. A thing appertaining. See APPERTAIN. 



APR— ARC 

ATRIL. s. The fourth month. L. Aprilis ; from aperio, to open ; be- 
cause, in April, the blossoms unfold. 
A PRIORI. From the former ; in the first instance ; a phrase, in 

logic, opposed to a posteriorly and used in reasoning- from a cause to 

its effect. L. a, from, priori, abl. of prior, the former. 
APROPOS. To the purpose ; well-timed. F. a, to, propos, the pur- 
pose. 
APT. adj. Fit ; inclined ; ready. L. aptus, p. part, of apto, to fit, or 

adapt. 
AP'TOTE. s. An indeclinable noun. G. a, without, and ptosis, a 

case. 
AQUAFORTIS, s. Sulphate of nitre. L. aqua, water, and fortis, 

(gen. of fors) of strength. 
AQUARE'GIA. «. Nitro-muriatic acid. L. aqua, water, and regia, 

(fem. of regius,) royal : this mixture will dissolve gold ; hence, its 

princely title. 
AQUARIUS, s. A sign of the zodiac. L. aquarius, a water-bearer. 
AQUAT'IC. adj. Relating to any thing that inhabits water. L. aqua- 

ticus; from aqua, water. 
AQUATIN'TA. s. A method of etching on copper, by which a beau- 
• tiful effect is produced, resembling a fine drawing in water-colours 

or Indian ink. L. aqua, water, and Italian, tenia, dye. 
AQUAVI'TiE. s. A strong spirituous liquor. L. aqua, water, vita, 

of life. (It should rather be named aqua mortis, the water of 

death.) 
AQUEDUCT, s. An artificial conveyance for water. L. aqu&ductus ; 

aqua, water, and ductus, p. part, of duco, to bring. 
A'QUEOUS. adj. Watery : partaking of the nature of water. L. 

aqua, water. 
A'QUILINE. adj. An aquiline nose resembles an eagle's beak. L. 

aquilinus ; from aquila, an eagle. 
A'RABLE. adj. Fit for cultivation. L. arabilis ; aro, to plough. 
AR'BITER. s. A judge; one who has the power of direction. L. 

arbiter, an arbitrator, or ruler. 
ARBITRARY, adj. Despotic; independent of rules. L. arbitrarius. 

See ARBITER. 
AR'BITRATOR. s. A judg-e, chosen by mutual consent. L. arbitror, 

to award. See ARBITER. 
ARBORESCENT, adj. Growing in the form of a tree. L. arbore. 

scens, part, of arboresco : arbor, a tree. 
AR'BORIST. s. One who makes trees his study. L. arbor, a tree. 
AR'BOUR. s. A bower. L. arbor, a tree. 

ARC. s. Part of a circle. L. arcus, a bow or arch; because these de- 
scribe only part of a circle. 
ARCA'DE. s. A continued arch ; a walk covered with an arched roof. 

F. arcade. L. arcus. See ARCH. 
ARC A' NUM. s. A secret. L. arcanum ; from area, a chest, coffin, 

or tomb : secrets are hidden, as in a chest. 
ARCH. s. Part of a circle. L. arcus. See ARCH. 
ARCH' ANGEL, s. One of the highest order of angels. G. archos, 

chief, and angel. 
ARCHBISHOP, s. A chief bishop. G. archos, chief, and bishop. 
c* 29 



ARC— ARM 

ARCHAIOL'OGY. s. A discourse on antiquity. G. archios, ancient, 
and logos, a word. 

ARCH'ER. s. One who uses a bow. L. arcus, a bow. 

ARCHETYPE, s. The original. L. archetypus ; G. arche, the be. 
ginning-, and tupos, a type. See TYPE. 

ARCHIEPIS'COPAL, ARCHEPIS'COPAL. adj. Belonging to an 
archbishop. G. archos, chief, and episkopos, an overseer. See 
EPISCOPAL. 

ARCHTTECT. s. A professor of the art of building. L. architectus : 
G. archos, chief, and tekton, a builder. 

ARCHTTRAVE. s. The moulding next above the capital of a column : 
in timber buildings, it is called the master-beam. G. arche, chief, 
and L. trabs, a beam. 

ARCHTVES. s. A place for public records ; or the records themselves. 
L. archiva ; G. arche, a government. 

ARCHON. s. One of the nine chief magistrates of Athens. G. archon, 
from arche, a chief. 

ARCTIC, adj. Relating to the arctic circle, or to the north. G. arktos, 
a bear ; the name given to the northern constellation. 

ARCUA'TION. s. Act of bending; curvity. L. arcus, an arch or 
bow. 

AR'DENT. adj. Hot ; eager. L. ardens ; from ardeo, to burn. 

AR'DUOUS. adj. Difficult. L. arduus, inaccessible; lofty; danger- 
ous. 

A'REA. s. A term in mathematics, and architecture. L. area, a va- 
cant place. See ARENA. 

ARE'NA. s. That part of a theatre which is left vacant for the con- 
tests, or sports. L. arena, sand ; because the space was strewed 
with sand. Area appears to be derived from arena. 

AR'GENT. s. The white colour used in coats of arms, which is bright, 
like silver. L. argenteus : argentum, silver. 

ARGILLA'CEOUS. adj. Partaking of the nature of ciay. L. argil- 
lacevs : argilla, white clay, such as potters use. 

ARGUE, v. To reason ; to dispute. L. arguo, to show or prove. 

ARGUMEN TUM AD HOMINEM. An argument which derives its 
strength from its personal application. L. argumentum, an argu- 
ment, ad, to, homincm, accus, of homo, a man. 

ARTD. adj. Dry ; parched. L. aridus, dry, parched. 

A'RIES. s. A sign of the zodiac. L. aries, a ram. 

ARISTOCRACY, s. A government by nobles. G. aristos, best, or 
most eminent, and krateo, to govern : meaning, where the most 
powerful men govern. 

ARITH'METIC. s. The science of numbers. L. arithmetica : G. 
arithmos, a number. 

ARITHMOM'ETER. s. An instrument for solving questions in arith- 
metic. G. arithmos, a number, and metreo, to measure. 

ARK. s. A large chest ; a vessel to swim on the water, as the Ark of 
Noah. L. area, a chest. — The close rooms in which meal is kept in 
some parts of Britain, and a species of vessels with which the people 
of the United States descend their rivers, are called arks. 

ARMIL'LARY. adj. Resembling a bracelet. L. armilla, a bracelet 
— See Ferguson's description of the globes. 

30 



ARM-ASP 

ARMISTICE, s. A cessation of arms, for a short time, by conven- 
tion; a truce. L. anna, arms, and sisto, to stand still. 
AROMAT'IC. adj. Spicy ; fragrant. F. aromatique : L. aroma, spice, 
ARRANGE', v. To place in order ; to settle. F. arranger ; from a, to, 

and rang, a row or rank. 
AR'RANT. adj. Bad, in a high degree. L. errans, part, of erro, to 

wander. 
ARRE'AR. s. That which is left unpaid, or not done. F. arriire, be- 
hind. 
ARREST', v. To obstruct; to stop; to seize and fix, as to arrest the 

eyes or attention. F. arreter ; L. ad, and resto, to stop ; re, back, 

and sto, to stand. 
ARRIVE, v. To come ; to reach. F. arriver ; from a, to, and rive, a 

shore, or sloping bank of a river : L. ripa. 
AR'ROGANCE. s. Undue assumption ; haughtiness. L. arrogans, 

part, of arrogo.— See ARROGATE. 
AR'ROGATE. v>. To assume unjustly. L. arrogo ; comp. of ad, to, 

and rogo, to demand. 
ARROW, s. A dart. Derived, through the Saxon, from L. arundo, a 

reed ; because, reeds were used for arrows. 
ARSENAL, s. A military workshop or magazine. F. arsenal: L. 

ars, an art or trade. 
AR'SON. s. The malicious burning of another's property: (used by 

lawyers ;) arsum, sup. of ardeo, to burn. 
AR'TERY. s. A tube or canal which conveys the blood from the heart 

to all parts of the body. G. arteria ; from airo, to take awaj'. 
AR'TICLE. s. A part of speech ; a particular part. L. articulus, a 

joint. 
ARTICULATE, v. To pronounce distinctly. L. articulo ; from ar- 
ticulus, a joint, or point. 
AR'TIFICE. s. Trick ; stratagem. F. artifice : L. artijicium ; from 

arte, (abl. of ars) by art, and facio, to do. 
ARTIFICIAL, adj. Made by art; fictitious. See ARTIFICE. 
ARTIL'LERY. s. Missive weapons ; cannon. F. artillerie ; from art, 

art, and tirailler, to shoot. 
ASBES'TOS. s. A kind of stone, indestructible by fire. G. asbestos : 

a, not, sbennumi, to extinguish. 
ASCEND', v. To go upwards. L. ascendo ; from ad, towards, and 

scando, to climb. 
ASCERTAIN', v. To know surely. L. ad, to, and certain. 
ASCES'CENT. adj. Growing sour. See ACID. 
ASCETTC. adj. Retired from the world ; rigid ; austere. F. ascetique : 

G. asketos, exercised, hardened ; from asheo, to exercise. 
ASCRI'BE. v. To attribute. L. ascribo ; ad, to, and scribo, to write, 

or appoint: meaning, to assign an effect to a particular cause. 
ASCRIP'TION. s. Act of ascribing. L. ascriptio. See ASCRIBE. 
ASTECT. s. Appearance ; direction towards. L. aspectus ; from ad, 

■at, and specto, to look. 
ASPERTTY. s. Roughness; severity. L. asperitas ; from asper, 

rough. 
ASPERSE', v. To calumniate. L. aspersum, sup. of aspergo : ad, 

upon, and spargo, to sprinkle. 

31 



ASP— ASS 

ASTIRATE. s. A pronunciation formed by a full breathing ; as the 

letter h. L, aspiratus, part, of aspiro, to breathe, or blow. 
ASPI RE. v. To desire eagerly (with to, or after.) L. aspiro : ad, to, 

and spiro, to breathe. 
ASSAFGBT'IDA. s. A particular drug. L. assus, unmixed, and foeti- 

dus, bad-smelling matter ; that is, entirely fetid. This word is some- 
times improperly spelled asafoetida. 
ASSAIL', v. To assault. F. assailir : L. assilio : ad, at, and salio, to 

leap. 
ASSAULT', s. An attack or violent onset; in law, an attempt or offer 

to strike another, without touching his person. F. assaut, formerly, 

assault : L. ad, to, and salto, to leap. 
ASSAY', s. Examination. F. essayer, to try. 
ASSEM'BLY. s. A meeting of people. F. assembUe; from a, to, and 

semblable, like ; meaning, resembling each other, or of equal quality. 

L. ad, to, and similis, like. Assembly is used in relation to persons 

only ; Assemblage, chiefly in relation to things. 
ASSENT', f. To agree. L. assentio; ad, with, and seniio, to think. 
ASSERT', v. To affirm positively ; to aver. L. assertion, sup. of 

assero, to claim or challenge : L. ad, and sero, to sow, — properly, to 

throw or set. 
ASSESS', v. To apportion, or tax. L. assessum, sup. of assideo ; from 

ad, concerning, and sedeo, to sit; or ad, to, and cessum, sup. of cedo, 

to yield. 
ASSETS', s. Goods or estate of a deceased person, sufficient to pay 

his debts. But the word sufficient, though expressing the original 

signification of assets, is not, with us, necessary to the definition. 

In the present usage, assets are the money, goods, or estate, of a 

deceased person, subject, by law, to the payment of his debts and 

legacies. F. assez, enough. 
ASSEVERATE, v. To declare earnestly. L. assevero : ad, to, and 

severiias, seriousness. 
ASSID'UOUS. adj. Constant in application. L. assiduus : ad, at, and 

sedeo, to sit. 
ASSIGN', v. To mark out; to convey a right; to appoint, or depute. 

L. assigno ; from ad, for, and signo, to mark. 
ASSIGNEE', s. One to whom any thing is assigned. See ASSIGN. 
ASSIM'ILATE. v. To convert to the same nature ; to cause resem- 
blance. L. assimilo; from ad, to, and similis, like. 
ASSIST', v. To help ; to aid. L. assisto : ad, to, and sisto, to stand up. 
ASSI'ZE. s. Regulation: (assizes, meeting of provincial law-courts.) 

F. assis, a sitting; pi. assises : L. ad, at, and sedeo, to sit. 
ASSOCIATE, v. To join as a companion ; to unite. L. associo : ad, 

to, and socivs, a companion. 
ASSORT', v. To place in classes. F. assoriir : L. ad, to, and sors, a 

kind. 
ASSUAGE', v. To mitigate; to ease. L. ad, to, and suadeo, to per- 
suade, or counsel. 
ASSUA'SIVE. adj. Softening. L. ad, to, and sausio, a counselling. 

See ASSUAGE. 
ASSU'ME. v. To take ; to usurp. L. assumo : from ad, to, and sumo, 

to take. 

32 



ASS— ATT 

ASSUMP'SIT. An action of assumpsit lies against a builder, or any 

other person, who has failed to perform^his contract. L. assumpsit, 

(from assumo,) he undertook. 
ASSURE, v. To give confidence ; to insure. F. assurer : L. ad, to, 

and securus, safe. 
AS'TERISK. s. A mark (*) used in printing. G. asteriskos, dim. of 

aster, a star. 
ASTEROI'D. s. Something partaking of the form of a star. G. 

aster, a star, and oidos, form. 
AST'HMA. s. A difficult, short respiration. G. asthma : from ao, to 

blow. 
ASTONTSH. v. To confound ; to amaze. F. etonner, (formerly eston- 

ner) : L. ad, at, and tono, to thunder. 
ASTOUND', v. To astonish, (a vulgarism.) F. etonner, (formerly 

estonner.) See ASTONISH. 
AS'TRAL. adj. Relating to the stars. L. astrum, a star. 
ASTRIC'TION. s. Act of contracting, by medical applications. L. 

astrictio ; from astrictus, p. part, of astringo, to tie or bind. 
ASTRIN'GENT. adj. Contracting. L. astringens, part, of astringo : 

from ad, to, and stringo, to truss up, or bind. 
AS'TROLABE. s. An instrument formerly used for ascertaining lati- 
tudes. G. astron, a star, and lamhano, to take. 
ASTROL'OGY. s. The pretended science of foretelling by the stars. 

L. astrologia : G. astron, a star, and logos, a discourse. 
ASTRON'OMY. s. Knowledge of the heavenly bodies. G. astrono- 

mia ; from astron, a star, and nomos, a law or rule. 
AS'TROSCOPE. s. An astronomical instrument, by means of which 

the stars may easily be known. G. astron, a star, and skopeo, to 

view. 
ASTU'TE. adj. Subtle ; cunning. L. astutus, from astus, craft. 
ASYLUM, s. Place of safety. L. asylum : G. a, without, and sulon, 

part, of sulao, to plunder : meaning, free from robbery, or hnrt. 
ATHEIST, s. One who denies the existence of God. G. a, without, 

and Theos, God. 
ATHLETIC, adj. Of a strong and vigorous body. L. athleticus : G. 

athletes, a wrestler ; athleo, to contend. 
AT'MOSPHERE. s. The air which surrounds the earth. G. atmos, 

vapour, and sphaira, a sphere. 
ATOM, s. A very small particle. G. atomos ; from a, not, and temno, 

to cut : meaning, that it cannot be divided. 
ATRO'CITY. s. Horrible wickedness. L. atrocitas ; atrox, cruel : 

ater, black. 
ATROPHY, s. Debility, for want of due nourishment. G. atrophia ; 

from a, not, and trepho, to nourish. 

ATTACH', v. To join ; to arrest. F. attacher : L. ad, at or to, and 

tactum, sup. of tango, to touch. 
ATTACK', v. To assault an enemy ; to begin a contest. F. attaquer : 

L. ad, to or against, and tactus, p. part, of tango, to touch. 
ATTAIN', v. To reach, come to, or arrive at. F. atteindre : L. at- 

tingo : ad, to, and tango, to touch. 
ATTAIND'ER. s. By attainder, the estate of the convicted person 

33 



ATT— AUR 

reverts to his superior lord ; and his blood is, in a legal sense, so 

corrupted, as to be no longer inheritable. See ATTAINT. 
ATTAINT', v. To disgrace ; particularly, by conviction of felony or 

treason. L. attinctus, p. part, of attingo : ad, to, and lingo, to stain. 
ATTEMPT', v. To endeavour. L. attento ; from ad, at, and tento, 

to try. 
ATTEND', v. To give attention, or aid ; to be present at. L. attendo ; 

from ad, to, and tendo, to stretch out. 
ATTEN'T ION. s. Act of attending to, or heeding ; act of civility. 

See ATTEND. 
ATTEN'UATE. v. To make thin, or slender. L. attenuo ; comp. of 

ad, to, and tenuis, slender. 
ATTEST', v. To sign as a witness ; to bear witness. L. attestor; from 

ad, to, and testis, a witness. 
ATTI'RE. v. To dress ; to habit; to array. F. attirer ; tirer, to draw : 

L. ad, to, and traho, to draw. 
ATTRACT", v. To draw towards. L. attractum, sup. of attraho ; from 

ad, towards, and traho, to draw. 
ATTRIB'UTE. v. To ascribe. L. attribuo: ad, to, and tribuo, to give. 
ATTRIBUTE, s. The thing attributed, or belonging, to another. See 

the verb. 
ATTRI'TION. s. Act of wearing things by rubbing. L. attritio : ad, 

against, and tritus, p. part, of tero, to rub. 
AUBURN, adj. Brown ; of a dark colour. F. brun, brown. 
AUCTION, s. A mode of sale. L. audio : auctus, p. part, of augeo. 

to increase, (from a small, to a greater, price.) 
AUDA'CIOUS. adj. Impudently daring. F. audacieux : L. audacis, 

gen. of audax, bold ; audeo, to dare. 
AUDIBLE, adj. Loud enough to be heard. L. audibilis; from audio, 

to hear. -. 

AU'DIENCE. s. The act of hearing ; hearers. F. audience : L. au- 

diens, part, of audio, to hear. 
AUDIT, v. To review or examine the accounts of another. See 

AUDITOR. 
AU'DITOR. s. A hearer ; an examiner of public accounts. L. auditor ; 

from audio, to hear. 
AU FAIT. " He is quite au fait, in those things;" a French phrase, 

implying a certain familiarity with, or mastery of a subject. 
AUGMENT', v. To increase ; to become larger, or more. L. augmen, 

an increase : augeo, to create, or increase. 
AU'GUR. v. Amongst the Romans, an officer whose duty was to fore- 

tel future events, by the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of 

birds. L. augur : from avis, a bird. 
AUGUST', adj. Great ; magnificent. L. augustus, venerable, noble. 
AU'GUST. s. The eighth month. L. Augustus Ctesar. See AU- 
GUST'. 
AU'LIC. adj. Pertaining to a royal eourt. The epithet is probably 

now confined to the German empire, where it is used to designate 

certain courts, or officers composing the courts. L. aulicus : aula, 

a hall. 
AURE'LIA. s. The first apparent change of the maggot of insects. 

L. aurum, gold. 

34 



AUR— AVI 

AURICULAR, adj. Within the sense or reach of hearing; secret. 

L. auricularis : auris, the ear. 
AU'RIST. s. An ear-surgeon. L. auris, an ear. 

AURO'RA BOREA LIS. s. A luminous meteor, peculiar to the north- 
ern latitudes. L. aurora, the morning, (meaning, light,) and borea- 

lis, belonging to the north. 
AUSTICE. s. An omen ; protection. L. auspicium ; from auspex, a 

soothsayer or diviner, who observes the motion and number of birds : 

from avis, a bird, and specio, to behold. 
AUSPI'CIOUS. adj. Having omens of success ; favourable ; kind. 

See AUSPICE. 
AUSTE'RE. adj. Harsh; of a distant manner. L. austerus : G.aus- 

teros : from auo, to dry up. 
AUS'TRAL. adj. Southern. L. australis ; from auster, the south. 
AUTHEN'TIC. adj. Proceeding from sufficient authority. L. au- 

thenticus : G. authentes, an author. 
AUTH'OR. s. One who first effects, or produces any thing. L. auc- 

tor ; from auctus, p. part, of augeo, to increase, or create. 
AUTHOR'ITY. s. Testimony; influence; power. From author : be- 
cause, authority, in its various significations, must proceed from its 

proper source, — the author. 
AUTOBIOG'RAPHY. s. Memoirs of any person, written by himself. 

G. autos, self, and BIOGRAPHY. 
AU'TOCRAT. s. An absolute prince. G. autos, self, and kratos, 

power. 
AU'TOGRAPH. s. A particular person's own handwriting ; or the 

original manuscript, in opposition to a copy. G. autographon ; from 

autos, self, and grapho, to write. 
AUTOM'ATON. s. A machine, which has a power of motion within 

itself. G. automaton ; autos, self, and maomai, to be moved. 
AUXIL'IARY. s. An assistant. L. auxiliarius : G. auxo, to increase. 
AVAIL', v. To aid in promoting ; to profit. L. valeo, to be strong, or 

to serve. 
A'VALANCHES. s. Prodigious snow-balls, that frequently roll down 

the mountains in Savoy. F. avalanches : avaler, to fall down. 
AV ANT-COURIER, s. A messenger, sent forward to announce the 

approach of some great personage. F. avant, before, and courier. 
AVARICE, s. Insatiable desire of wealth. L. avaritia ; from aveo, 

to covet. 
AVENGE', v. To punish in behalf of another. F. venger : L. vinco, 

to conquer or subdue. Revenge is to punish in behalf of one's-self. 
AVENUE, s. A way of approach. F. avenue : L. ad, to, and venio, 

to come. 
AVER', v. To declare solemnly. F. averer : L. ad, to, and verum, the 

truth. 
AVERAGE, v. To fix one degree of value on things of various quali- 
ties. L. averagium : ad, to, verum, truth, and ago, to bring. 
AVERSE', adj. Unfavourable ; opposed. L. aversus. See AVERT. 
AVERT', v. To turn from ; to turn aside. L. averto ; comp. of a, 

from, and verto, to turn. 
A'VIARY. s. A place inclosed for birds. L. avis, a bird. 
AVID'IT Y. s. Greediness ; eagerness. L. aviditas : aveo, to desire. 

35 



AVO— BAN 

AVOCA'TION. s. Business which calls a person away from his usual 

employment. L. avocatio ; a, from, and voco, to call. 
AVOID', v. To shun ; to decline ; to escape. See VOID. 
AVOIRDUPOI'S. adj. A kind of weight, having sixteen ounces in a 

pound. F. avoir du poids, to have just weight : probably, the statute, 

mercantile weight, introduced into England, by the Normans. 
AVOUCH', v. To affirm ; to produce or call in. See VOUCH. 
AVOW. v. To declare with confidence ; to own or confess. F. avouer : 

L. advoveo : ad, to, and voveo, to vow. 
AVUL'SION. s. Act of pulling one thing from another. L. avulsio : 

a, from, and vulsus, p. part, ofvello, to pull or pluck. 
AXIOM, s. A proposition evident at the first view, and which cannot 

be made plainer by demonstration. G. axioma ; from axio-o, to be 

thought worthy [of belief] 
AXTS. s. The line, real or imaginary, that passes through any thing, 

and on which it may revolve. L. axis : G. axon ; ago, to conduct, 
AZOTE, s. Nitrogen ; that part of the atmospheric air which will not 

support life. F. azote : G. a, not, and zao, to live. 
A'ZURE. adj. Light blue. F. azur, a sky-coloured mineral. 



B. 

BACCHANALIAN, s. A riotous, drunken person. L. bacchanalia, 

the feast of Bacchus, the god of wine. 
BACCIF'EROUS. adj. Producing berries. L. baccifer : bacca, a berry, 

and fero, to bear. 
BADINAGE, s. Playful conversation. F. badinage ; from badin, 

waggish, merry. 
BAGATELLE', s. A trifle. F. bagatelle, dim. of baggage, goods of 

any kind. 
BAIL. s. In law, is derived from the F. battler^ to deliver ; because 

the defendant is bailed or delivered to his sureties, upon their giving 

security for his appearance ; and is supposed to continue in their 

friendly custody, instead of going to jail. 
BAL'ANCE. s. An instrument for weighing ; difference of weight or 

amount. F. balance : L. bilanx : bis, double, and lanx, a broad plate, 

or dish. 
BALE. s. A large bundle. F. bale, a ball. 
BALIS'TA. s. A warlike instrument, anciently used to throw stones 

and darts. L. balista ; from the G. ballo, to throw. 
BALL. s. An entertainment of dancing. F. bal : G. ballizo, to dance ; 

from ballo, to throw, (meaning the legs.) 
BALLOON', s. A spheroid, formed of silk ; which, when inflated by 

hydrogen gas, or rarefied air, ascends. F. balloon ; from bale, a ball. 
BALLOT, s. A mode of giving votes. F. balote, a little ball used at 

elections. Balloting balls are of different colours ; a white ball de- 
notes approbation ; a black one, dislike. In the United States, small 

tickets are used. 
BANK'RUPT. s. One who cannot pay his debts. Saxon, bane, a 

heap, (alluding to the money accumulated in banks,) and L. ruptus, 

p. part, of rumpo, to break. 

36 



BAP— BEN 

BAPTI'ZE. v. To administer baptism ; to christen. G. baptizo, to 
wash, dip, or besprinkle. 

BAR'BAROUS. adj. Uncivilized ; cruel. L. barbarus : G. barbaros, 
foreign. The Greeks and Romans applied this term to denote want 
of civilization, as we do at the present time. 

BARB'ED. adj. Pointed as an arrow, or a fishing-hook. L. barba, a 
beard. 

BAR'BER. s. A man who. shaves beards for hire. F. barbier : L. 
barba, a beard. 

BAROM'ETER. s. An instrument for ascertaining the pressure of the 
atmosphere. G. baros, weight, and metreo, to measure. 

BASE. s. The lower part, as of a column. See BASIS. 

BASE. adj. Mean, dishonest. See ABASE. 

BA'SILISK. s. A kind of serpent, which is said to affright away by 
hissing, and to kill by looking, G. basiliskos ; basileus, a king. 

BAS'IS. s. The foundation ; first principle. G. and L. basis, the lower 
part or base of a pillar. 

BATCH'ELOR, BACHELOR, s. A man unmarried; a man who 
takes his first degrees, at a university ; a knight of the lowest order. 
The etymology of this word is uncertain. " The second and most 
numerous class of chivalric heroes, consisted of knights, who were 
originally called bas-chevaliers, in contradistinction to the first class ; 
but, in process of time, the word batchelor designated the esquire, 
rather than the cavalier himself." — Mills' Chivalry, 35. 

BATH'OS. s. The art of sinking in poetry, or other literary composi- 
tion. G. bathos, the bottom. 

BATON, s. A marshal's staff. F. baton : L. batuo, to beat. 

BATTERY, s. Act of battering; a number of cannon used for bat- 
tering, or the frame upon which they are mounted ; a violent striking 
or laying hold of any person. F. batterie : L. batuo, to 'strike. 

BAWL. v. To cry aloud. L. balo, to bleat as a sheep. 

BEAT. v. To strike, or conquer. L. batuo, to strike. 

BEATIFY, v. To bless. L. beatifico; from beatus, happy, and facio, 
to make : beo, to bless. 

BEATITUDE, s. Superior degree of happiness. L. beatiludo ; from 
beatus, happy : beo, to bless. 

BE A U MONDE. The gay or fashionable world. F. beau, fine, and 
monde, the world. 

BEAUTY, s. An assemblage of graces, or an assemblage of proper- 
ties in the form of the person or any other object which pleases the 
eve. F. beaute : beau, handsome. 

BEAUX ESPRITS. Men of wit. F. beaux, pi. of beau, pleasant, 
and esprits, pi. of esprit, a spirit. 

BEEF. s. Flesh of an ox, bull, or cow. F. boeuf: L. bovis, gen. of 
bos, an ox, bull, or cow. 

BELLES LETTRES. s. Polite Literature, (with the,) pronounced 
bel-letter. F. les belles lettres, polite learning. 

BELLI'GERENT. s. A party in a war. L. belligerans, part, of belli, 
gero: bellum, war, and gero, to carry on. 

BENEDICTION, s. A blessing. L. benedictio : bene, well, and dic- 
tio, an expression : dico, to say. 

o 37 



BEN— BIS 

BENEFACTOR, s. One who confers a benefit. L. bene, well, and 

facio, to do. 
BENEFICE, s. An ecclesiastical living. . L. benejicium, an obliga- 
tion. See BENEFACTOR. 
BENEFTCENT. adj. Kind; doing good. L. benefaciens : part, of 

benefacio. See BENEFACTOR. 
BENEFIT, s. Favour conferred ; advantage ; profit. L. benejicium. 

See BENEFACTOR. 
BENEVOLENT, adj. Well-inclined; charitable. L. benevolens ; bene, 

well, and volo, to wish. 
BENIGNITY", s. Graciousness ; goodness. L. benignitas ; from bene, 

well, happily. 
BES'TIAL. adj. Resembling a beast ; belonging to the class of beasts ; 

beastly ; carnal. L. bestia, a beast. 
BE'VER. s. That part of the visor of a helmet which could be lifted 

up. Italian, bevere, to drink. L. bibere, (infin. of bibo) to drink. 
BEVERAGE, s. Drink. Italian, bevere, to drink. L. bibere, (infin. 

of bibo) to drink. 
BI'AS. s. Inclination, either of matter or mind. F. biais, an oblique 

line, or slope : G. bia, force. 
BIBBER, s. A tippler. L. bibo, to drink. 
BTBLE. s. The sacred volume. G. biblion, a book : meaning, by way 

of eminence, The Book. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY, s. History of books. G. biblos, a book, and gra- 

pho, to write. 
BIBLIOMA'NIA. s. Book madness ; a rage for possessing rare and 

curious books. G. biblion, a book, and mania, madness. 
BIBULOUS, adj. Absorbing moisture. L. bibulus ; from bibo, to 

drink. 
BICOR'NOUS. adj. Having two horns. L. bis, double, and cornu, a 

horn. 
BIDEN'TAL. adj. Having two teeth. L. bidens : bis, double, and 

dens, a tooth. 
BIENNIAL, adj. Continuing two years ; occurring every two years. 

L. biennis: from bis, double, and annus, a year. 
BIF'EROUS. adj. Bearing twice a year. L. biferus ; bis, twice, and 

fero, to bear. 
BIG'AM Y. s. This word originally signified the having married twice ; 

it now denotes the crime of having two wives, or of having two hus- 
bands. G. bis, double, and gameo, to marry. 
BI'NARY. adj. By couples. L. binus ; from bis, double. 
BIOG RAPHY. s. Personal history. G. bios, life, and grapho, to write. 
BI'PAROUS. adj. Having two at a birth. L. bis, double, and pario, 

to bring forth. 
BIPAR'TITE. adj. Having two parts. L. bipartitus, part, of bipar- 

tior : bis, twice, and partior, to divide. 
BITED. s. An animal having two feet. L. bipedis, gen. of bipes ; bis, 

double, and pes, a foot. 
BIPET'ALOUS. adj. Consisting of two flower leaves ; having two 

petals. L. bis, twice, and petalon, a leaf. 
BIS'CUIT. s. Hard bread. F. biscuit: L. bis, twice, and F. cuit, part 

of cuire, to bake. 

38 



BIS— BRA 

BISECT', v. To divide into two parts. L. binus, by couples, and seco, 
to cut. 

BISHOP, s. One who is placed over several churches. Derived, 
through the Saxon, from L. episcopus : G. epi, over, and skopeo, to 
look. 

BISSEX'TILE. adj. Relating to every fourth, or leap year. L. bis- 
sextiles. In the Roman Calendar, both the 24th and 25th of Febru- 
ary were denominated sexto Kalendas Mar lias ; hence, the redupli- 
cative term, bis, twice, is prefixed to sextilis, which relates to the 
sixth of the Kalends of March. See Adams's Rom. Ant. 330, 331. 

BITUMINOUS, adj. Having the qualities of bitumen ; pitchy. L. 
bitumen, a kind of fit clay or slime, like pitch. 

BLANCH, v. To whiten. F. blanchir ; from blanc, white. 

BLAND, adj. Mild ; gentle. L. blandus, kind. 

BLANDIL'OQUENCE. s. Fair, mild, flattering speech. L. blandus, 
mild, and loquor, to speak. 

BLANDISHMENT, s. Act of fondness ; caresses. L. blanditia. See 
BLAND. 

BLANK, s. A space not written upon ; unproductive result of a lottery 
chance. F. blanc, white : that is, having the white paper visible. 

BLANK'ET. s. A woolen cloth used in a printing-press, or for cover- 
ing a bed. F. blanchet : blanche, white. 

BLASPHE'ME. v. To speak irreverently of religion. G. blasphemeo : 
blax, impious, and phemi, to say. 

BLEMISH, v. To mark with any deformity; to tarnish; to defame. 
F. blemir : bleme, pale, wan. 

BOIL. v. To be agitated by heat. F. bouillir : L. bullio ; from bulla, 
a bubble. 

BOIL. s. A vulgar term for a bile. From the verb, to boil ; alluding 
to the form of a bile, — that of a bubble. 

BO'LUS. s. A large pill. L. bolus, a lump. 

BOMB. s. A hollow ball, filled with gunpowder. F. bombe : L. bom- 
bus, a buzzing noise. 

BOM'BAST. s. Inflated language. L. bombus, a buzzing noise. 

BONA FIDE. Actually; really. The phrase is also used adjectively, 
for actual, real. L. bona, (from bonus,) in good, and fide, (from 
fides,) faith. 

BON MOT. A witty expression. F. bon, good, and mot, a word, or 
saying. 

BONNE BOUCHE. A nice or sweet morsel. F. bonne, fern, of bon, 
good, and bouche, the mouth. 

BON VIVANT. A luxurious person. F. bon, well, and vivant, part. 
ofvivre, to live. 

BOTANY, s. The science of plants. G. botane, an herb. 

BOUNTY, s. Generosity ; pecuniary encouragement. F. bonte : L. 
bonitas ; bonus, good. 

BOURN, s. A bound, a limit. F. borne, a limit. 

BOX. s. A case rmide of wood or other substance. F. bois, wood. 

BRACE, v. To make firm. F. embrasser, to embrace: en, in, and 
bras, an arm. L. in, and brachium. 

BRACE, s. That which holds any thing tight ; a couple : two in com- 
pany. See the verb. 

39 



BRA— CAB 

BRACE'LET. s. An ornament for the arm. F. bracelet; from bras, 
an arm. 

BREVET', s. A brevet-officer is one, who holds a command higher in 
rank, than that expressed in his commission. F. from the L. brevis, 
short. 

BRE'VIARY. s. An abridgment; a book containing the daily service 
of the Roman church. F. breviare : L. breviarivm : brevis, short. 

BREVITY, s. Conciseness. L. brevitas ; brevis, short. 

BRIDE, s. A woman recently married. F. bride, part, of brider, to 
restrain. 

BRI'DLE. s. The reins, &c. used for governing a horse. F. bride ; 
from brider, to restrain. 

BRIEF, s. An abridged writing ; a lawyer's written instructions. F. 
brief. See the adjective. 

BRIEF, adj. Concise. F. brief: L. brevis, short. 

BRILLIANT, adj. Shining; splendid. F. brillant : briller, to shine. 

BRONZE, s. Brass ; a metal composed of copper and tin. F. bronze, 
cast copper or brass. 

BRUIT, s. Rumour; report. F. bruit: from bruire, to make a noise. 

BRU'MAL. adj. Belonging to winter. L. brumalis : G. brugmos, a 
roaring noise. 

BRUNETTE', s. A pretty female, with a brown complexion. F. bru- 
nette, (dim. of brun, brown,) a little girl who is brown. 

BRUTE, s. An animal without reason. L. brutus, insensible, irra- 
tional : G. barutes, heaviness ; baros, weight. 

BUCOLTC. adj. Pastoral. L. bucolicus: G. boulcolika ; from boulcolos, 
a cowherd. 

BUFFET', s. A cup-board ; a place at a public entertainment, where 
refreshments are kept. F. buffet, a cup-board. 

BUL'BOUS. adj. Of a round shape, as the root of a tulip. L. bulbus, 
an onion, or any round, laminated root. 

BULL. s. In reference to the pope, a papal mandate. F. bulle ; from 
the L. bulla;, ornaments, of the figure of a heart, formerly worn by 
the nobility of the western empire, and afterwards attached to the 
decrees of the popes. 

BUL'LETIN. s. A military, or other public document. F. bulletin ; 
bulle, authentic. See BULL. 

BUOY. s. A piece of floating wood or cork, used by mariners and 
fishermen. F. bouee : bois, wood. 

BUOYANT, adj. Floating light. See BUOY. 

BUR'SAR. s. The treasurer of a college. L. bursarius ; from bursa, 
a purse. 

BUTLER, s. A servant who takes care of the wines, and superin- 
tends the table. F. bouteillier ; from bouteille, a bottle. 



C. 

CABTNET. s. A closet, a small room or retired apartment; the se- 
lect or secret council of a prince or an executive government ; a 
piece of furniture, consisting of a chest or box, with drawers and 
doors. F. cabinet : cabane, a cabin or cottage. 

40 



CAC— CAL 

CAC'OCHYMY. s. An unhealthy state of the animal juices. G, kafco- 
chumia ; from kakos, bad, and chumos, juice. 

CACOETHES LOQUEN'DI, A too great fondness of speaking; 
loquacity, L. cacoethes, an evil habit, loquendi, of speaking: cacoe- 
thes is from G. kakos, bad, and ethos, a habit, 

CACOE THES SCRIBEN'DI. A too great fondness of writing for 
the public eye, L. cacoethes, an evil habit, scribendi, of writing : 
cacoethes is from G. kakos, bad, and ethos, a habit. 

CACOPH'ONY. s. A harsh sound of words. G. kakophonia ; kakos, 
bad, and phonia, a sound. 

CADAVEROUS, adj. Looking like a corpse, L. cadaver, a dead 
body : cado, to fall. 

CA'DENCE. s. Fall of the voice, &c. F. cadence : L. cadens, part. 
of cado, to fall. 

CADET', s. A person serving in expectation of an office. F. cadet : 
L. cado, to be attached to. 

C/ESU'RA. s. A term in prosody, referring to a pause. L. casura ; 
from cado, to cut. 

CMTERA DE'SUNT. The remainder is wanting. L. catera, pi. 
of cater, the rest, desunt, (from desum,) are wanting. 

CMTERIS PARIBUS. Other things being equal. L. abl. of cater, 
and par. 

CALAMTTY. s. Sudden misfortune. L. calamitas ; from calamus, 
an arrow : because, a calamitous misfortune comes with the swift- 
ness of an arrow. 

CALCA'REOUS. adj. Of the nature of lime. See CALX. 

CALCI'NE. v. To decompose by burning. F. calciner. See CALX. 

CAL'CULATE. v. To numerate ; to conjecture. L. calculus, a pebble ; 
by which, numbers were reckoned, by persons ignorant of arithme- 
tic. 

CAL'DRON. s. A pot ; a boiler. L. caldarium : calidus, hot ; from 
caleo, to be hot. 

CAL'ENDAR. s. A register of the year ; an almanack ; a list of pri- 
soners in the custody of the sheriff. L. calendarum : See KA- 
LENDS. 

CAL'ENDER. v. To press between rollers, for the purpose of making 
smooth and glossy ; originally, and frequently at the present day, 
between hot rollers, F. calendrer : L. caleo, to be hot. 

CAL'ENTURE. s. A distemper peculiar to sailors in hot climates. L. 
caleo, to be hot. 

CALI'BER. s. The diameter of a gun's bore. F. calibre, rate or size. 

CALIDTTY. s. Heat. L. caliditas : calidus, hot. 

CALTG'RAPHY. s. Beautiful writing. G. kaligraphia : kalos, beau- 
tiful, and grapho, to write. 

CAL'LOUS. adj. Insensible. L. callus, hardness, or hard flesh. 

CAL'LOVV. adj. Without feathers. L. callus, roughness : very young 
birds are unpleasingly rough, by reason of their projecting 
quills. 

CALOR'IC. s. The modern chemical name of heat. F. calorique : L. 
color, heat. 

CALORIFIC, adj. Producing heat. L. calorificus ; color, heat, and 
facio, to make. 

i>* 41 



CAL— CAN 

CALORIM'ETER. s. An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of 
heat disengaged from any substance that may be an object of expe- 
riment. L. color, heat, and G. metreo, to measure, 
CALUM'NIATE. v. To slander. L. calumnior ; from calumnia, a 

false accusation. 
CALX. s. A burned substance. L. calx, burned lime* 
CAL'YX. s. The cup of a plant ; that part which surrounds and sup- 
ports the petals. L, kalyx : G. kalux, that in which any thing is 
enclosed. 
CAM'ERA-OBSCU'RA. s. A species of optical machine. L, camera, 

a chamber, and obscura, dark. 
CAMP. s. A number of military tents. F. camp : L. campus, a field. 
CAMPAIGN', s. The period of an army's operations in the field, dur- 
ing one season. F. campagne : L. campus, a field. 
CAMPESTRAL, adj. Growing in fields. L. campestris ; campus, a 

field. 
CANAILLE', s. The very lowest of the people ; the rabble. F. ca. 

naille ; from canal, the kennel of a street : alluding to their filth. 
CAN'CEL. v. To obliterate. F. canceller : L. cancelli, lattice- win- 
dows : the marks in cancelled writings are often crossed in the form 
of such windows. 
CAN'CER. s. A corroding, incurable sore ; (also, a sign of the zodiac ;) 
cancer, a crab : thus, comparing the gradual decay of the flesh, to 
the slow motion of a crab. 
CANDID, adj. Sincere. L. Candidas ; candeo, to shine. 
CANDIDATE, s. A suitor for any place of honour or profit. L. can. 
didatus ; from candidus, white : alluding to the custom, amongst 
the Romans, of his wearing a white garment. 
CANDLE, s. A light made of wax, spermaceti, or tallow. L. can- 

dela : candeo, to be white, or glitter. 
CANINE', adj. Relating or belonging to a dog. L. caninus ; canis, 

a dog. 
CANISTER, s. A case, now made generally of tin ; but formerly of 

canes. L. canistrum ; canna, a cane : G. kanna. 
CANK'ER. s. A cancerous sore. L. cancer, a crab. See CANCER. 
CANNIBAL, s. A person who eats human flesh. L. canis, a doer. 
CANNON, s. A great-gun. F. canon, formerly cannon : L. canna, 

a large tube. 
CAN'ON. s. A church law. G. kanon, a rule. 
CAN'ONIZE. v. To declare any person a saint. From canon ; because 

his name is placed in the canon for observing festivals. 
CANOPY, s. A covering over a throne ; or over a bed ; more gene- 
rally, a covering over the head. G. konopeion : from konops, a gnat. 
CANT. v. To preach or talk as a hypocrite. L. canto, to repeat the 

same thing often: cano, to sing. 
CANTA'TA. s. A poem set to music ; a species of song. Italian ; 

from L. canto, to sing, or repeat often the same thing. 
CAN'TO. s. Part of a poem. This word is derived, through the Ita- 
lian, from the L. cantus, a song : meaning, as much as would be 
sufficient for a song, or for recital in one act. 
CANTON', v. To distribute an army over a district. F. canton, a 
province. 

42 



CAN -CAR 

CAN'VASS, or CANVAS, s. A kind of cloth. F. canevas : L. can- 

nobis, hemp. 
CAN'VASS. v. To solicit ; to examine. Etymology unknown : no 

rational affinity appears with canvass, cloth. 
CANZONET', s. A little song. Italian, canzonetta: L. cano, to 

sing. 
CA'PABLE. adj. Having a capacity for any particular object. F. ca- 
pable : L. capio, to take, or contain. 
CAPACIOUS, adj. Capable of containing much ; internally large. L. 

capax ; from capio. See CAPABLE. 
CAPE. s. A head-land; the termination of a promontory. F.cap: 

from L. caput, the head. 
CAP' IAS AD RESPONDENDUM. A writ issued to take the de- 
fendant, that he may be answerable to the plaintiff. L. capias, that 

you take, (from capio,) ad, for the purpose of, respondendum, (from 

respondeo,) answering. 
CAP' IAS AD SATISFACIENDUM. A writ issued, after judgment, 

to arrest the defendant, until he shall satisfy the plaintiff. L. capias, 

that you take, ad, for the purpose of, satisfaciendum, (from satisfa- 

cio,) satisfying. 
CAPIL'LARY. adj. Resembling hairs ; relating to very small tubes. 

L. capillaris ; capillus, a hair. 
CAPITAL, adj. Affecting the head, or life; chief. F. capital: L. 

capiialis : caput, the head. 
CAPTTAL. s. Head%f a pillar ; chief town ; stock of a trader or 

company. See the adjective. 
CAPITA'TION. s. A capitation -tax is laid on the person. L. caput, 

the head. 
CAPIT'ULATE. v. To surrender by agreement. L. capitulatim, by 

heads, or chapters ; caput, the head : the terms of surrender being 

written in the form of distinct heads or articles. 
CA'PRICORN. s. A sign of the zodiac. L. capricornus : caper, a 

goat, and cornu, a horn. 
CAP'TAIN. s. A commander ; a term generally restricted to an offi- 
cer who commands a single company of soldiers, or a single ship. 

F. capitaine : L. caput, the head. 
CAPTION, s. An arrest, &c. L. captio. See CAPTIVE. 
CAP'TIOUS. adj. Caviling. L. captiosus : capto, to surprise, or 

catch ; capio, to take. 
CAPTIVATE, v. To delight highly; figuratively, to enslave. L. 

captivo. See CAPTIVE. 
CAPTIVE, s. One taken in war ; a prisoner. L. captivus : captus, 

(p. part, of capio,) taken. 
CAP'TOR. s. He that takes a prisoner, or prize. L. capio, to take. 

See CAPTIVE. 
CAP'UCMIN. s. A monk of the reformed order of Franciscans. F. 

capucin : from capuce, or capuchon, a cowl, or large hood ; by which 

that order are particularly distinguished. 
CAR. s. A small vehicle, moved on wheels, usually drawn by one 

horse ; a large carriage to convey passengers, &c. on a rail-road. L. 

currus : curro, to run. 
CAR'BON. s. The basis of charcoal. F. charbon : L. carbo, a coal. 

43 



CAR— CAS 

CAR'BUNCLE. s. A jewel which shines in the dark ; a red spot, or 

pimple on the body. L. carbunculus, dim. of carlo, a coal. 
CARD. s. Thick paper, formed of several layers pasted together. F. 

carle: L. charta, (pronounced carta,) paper : also, an instrument used 

in combing wool, &c. ; from the Dutch kaarde, 
CARDINAL, adj. Principal. L. cardinalis, belonging to a hinge ; 

cardo, a hinge ; because, inferior things are imagined to depend or 

turn on the cardinal, as a door upon its hinge. 
CAR'DINAL. s. One of the chief governors of the Roman church. 

See the adjective. 
CAREEN', v. To lay a vessel on one side, in order to repair the other ; 

to incline to one side, as a ship under a press of sail. F. carener : 

L. carina, the keel or bottom of a ship. 
CARE'ER. s. Course of rapid action. F. carriere : L. carrus, a car : 

from curro, to run. 
CARESS', v. To treat in a kind, or loving manner. F. caresser : L. 

carus, dear. 
CARET, s. A grammatical point (a.) L. caret, there is [something] 

wanting. 
CARMIN'ATIVE. s. A medicine for expelling wind. L. cardiacus, 

griped, and minuo, to lessen. 
CAR'NAGE. s. Heaps of flesh ; immense slaughter. F. carnage : L. 

carnis, gen. of caro, flesh. 
CARNAL, adj. Fleshly ; not spiritual ; lustful. F. carnal : L. carnis, 

gen. of caro, flesh. 
CARNATION, s. The name of a pink flower. F. carnation : L. car- 

nis, gen. of caro, flesh ; because, that species is flesh-coloured. 
CARNIVAL, s. A feast before Lent. F. carnaval : L. carnis, gen. 

of caro, flesh, and valeo, to take leave, or bid farewell. 
CARNIVOROUS, adj. Having a natural inclination to eat flesh. L. 

carnivorus : carnis, gen. of caro, flesh, and voro, to devour 
CARP. v. To cavil. L. carpo, to pluck, or find fault. 
CAR'PENTER. s. An artificer in wood. F. charpentier : carpe.ns, 

part, of carpo, to carve, separate, or divide. 
CAR'RION. s. Flesh unfit for the food of man. F. charogne : from 

carter, to rot. 
CARTE-BLANCHE, s. An unlimited commission. F. carte, a card, 

and blanche, white, or unwritten. 
CARTEL', s. A writing containing stipulations between enemies, 

generally relating to an exchange of prisoners ; a vessel sailing 

under those stipulations. F. cartel. See CHARTER. 
CAR'TILAGE. s. A smooth, and solid body, softer than a bone, but 

harder than a ligament. L. cartilago, a cartilage, or gristle. 
CARTOON', s. A painting or drawing on large paper. F. carton : 

L. charta, paper. 
CARTRIDGE, s. A gun-charge, generally in paper. F. carte, strong 

paper. L. charta. 
CASCA'DE. s. A waterfall. F. cascade : L. casus, p. part of cado, to 

fall. 
CASE. s. State of any thing; event ; variation of a noun. L. casus: 

from cado, to fall, or happen. 
CASTANET', s. Small shells of ivory, or hard wood, which dancers 

44 



CAS— CAU 

rattle in their hands. Spanish castanela ; from the L. castanea, a 

chesnut, because of their resemblance to two chesnuts. 
CAS'TIGATE. v. To chastise; to. punish. L. castigo ; from castus, 

pure, and ago, to make. 
CASTRAME TA'TION. s. Science of measuring and laying out the 

ground for an encampment. L. castra, a camp, and G. metreo, to 

measure. 
CAS'UAL. adj. Accidental. F. casuel: L. casus, a chance; cado, to fall. 
CAS'UIST. s. One who justifies evil actions by argument. F. casu- 

iste : L. casus, an event, occasion, or emergency. 
CATACHRE'SIS. s. Abuse of words. G. katachresis : from kata, 

against, and chresis, use. 
CATACOMBS, s. Places for the dead. L. catacumba : G. kata, 

against, and kumbos, a hollow place : alluding to the body being 

placed perpendicularly in a niche. 
CATALOGUE, s. A list. L. catalogus : G. katalogos : kata, accord- 
ing to, and logos, a word, or description. 
CATAPLASM, s. A poultice. G. kataplasma : kata, over, and plasso, 

to spread. 
CATARACT, s. A waterfall. L. cataracta: G. kataraktes : kata, 

against, and rasso, to break, or cast down. 
CATARRH', s. An issue of humour from the glands, about the head 

and throat. G. katarrheo, to flow from. 
CATASTROPHE', s. Terminating event; unhappy confusion. G. 

katastroplie : kata, against, and strepho, to turn. 
CAT'ECHISE. v. To question minutely. G. katechizo : kata, into, 

and echeo, to sound. 
CATEGOR'ICAL. adj. Absolute ; direct. G. kata, according to, and 

agoreo, to speak. 
CATEGORY, s. In logic, a series or order of all the predicates or 

attributes contained under a genus. G. kategoria : kata, against, 

and agoreo, to speak to an assembly. 
CATENARIAN, adj. Resembling a chain. L. catena, a chain. 
CATHAR'TIC. adj. Purgative. G. kathartikos : kathairo, to purge ; 

kata, from, and airo, to remove. 
CATHE'DRAL. s. The head church of a diocese. L. cathedra : G. 

kathedra, a chair, in which declamations are made, or lectures read. 
CATH'OLIC. adj. Universal. F. catholique : G. katholikos : kata, 

throughout, and holos, the whole. 
CATHOLTCON. s. Something of universal application or use. See 

CATHOLIC. 
CATOPTRICS, s. That part of optics which relates to vision by re- 
flection. G. katoptron, a looking-glass : kata, against, and optomai, 

to see. 
CAU'DAL. adj. Relating or belonging to the tail. L. cauda, a tail. 
CAU'DLE. s. A kind of warm drink, composed of wine and other 

materials, prepared for the sick, and also given to the visiters of a 

lady after her confinement. 
CAUSE, s. That which effects; subject of litigation ; party. L. causa, 

a cause. 
CAUSIDTCAL. adj. Relating to a suit at law, or to a lawyer. L. cau. 

sidicus, a lawyer : causa, a cause, or law-suit, and dico, to speak. 

45 



CAU— CEN 

CAUSTIC, adj. Destroying the texture of any thing, by its hot, cor- 
rosive nature. G. kauslikos : kaio, to burn. 

CAU'TERY. s. An iron used by. surgeons for burning the flesh; a 
caustic substance. F. cautere : G. kauter : kaio, to burn. 

CAU'TION. s. Regard to, or notice of, danger ; prudence ; foresight. 

F. caution ; L. cautus, p. part, of caveo, to beware. 
CAVALCA'DE. s. A procession of persons on horseback. F. caval- 
cade. See CAVALRY. 

CAVALI'ER. s. A horseman, or knight. F. cavalier; from cheval, 

a horse. 
CAVALRY, s. Men mounted on horses, and armed for war. F. ca- 

valerie ; from cheval, a horse. 
CAVE. s. A large hole under ground. L. cavum : cavo, to make 

hollow. 
CAVEAT, s. The name of a legal process, denoting a caution, or in- 
junction. L. caveat, let him beware : from caveo. 
CAVTL. v. To object without sufficient cause. L. cavillor: caveo, to 

prevent. 
CAVITY, s. A hollow place. L. cavitas. See CAVE. 
CEASE, v. To stop. L. cesso ; from cedo, to retreat. 
CEDE. v. To yield ; to assign by virtue of a treaty. L. cedo, to yield. 
CEIL. v. To overlay or cover the inner roof of a building. F. ciel ; 

L. ccelum, heaven. 
CEL'EBRATE. v. To solemnize ; to make famous. L. celebro : ce- 

leber, renowned. 
CELERITY, s. Swiftness ; despatch. L. celcritas : celer, swift. 
CELES'TI AL. adj. Heavenly ; relating to the upper regions. L. ce- 

lestis : caelum, heaven. 
CELTBACY. s. Unmarried state. L. Calebs, or coslebs, unmarried. 
CEL'LAR. s. A subterranean apartment. L. cella ; (anciently cela ;) 

from celo, to hide. 
CEL'LULAR. adj. Having small cavities. L. cellula, a little cellar. 

See CELLAR. 
CEM'ETERY. s. A place for the dead. L. ccemeterium : G. koimete- 

rion : from koimao, to put to sleep. 
CEN'OBITE, or CCENOBITE. s. One of a religious order, who lives 

in a convent, or in a community, under a certain rule ; in opposition 

to a hermit, who lives in solitude. G. koinos, common, and bios, 

life. 
CEN'OTAPH. s. A monument for a person buried at another place. 

G. kenotaphion : kenos, empty, and taphos, a sepulchre. 
CEN'SER. s. A vessel in which incense is burned. F. encensoir : 

L. incensus, p. part, ofincendo, to burn. 

CEN'SOR. s. A corrector ; an examiner. L. censor : censeo, to judge. 

CENSO'RIOUS. adj. Addicted to censuring with severity. See 
CENSOR. 

CEN'SURE. s. Blame. L. censura. See CENSOR. 

CENSUS, s. An account of the inhabitants, &c, made by public au- 
thority. L. census. See CENSOR. 

CENT. s. A hundred; a coin, equal to the hundredth part of a dollar. 
F. cent : L. centum, a hundred. 

CEN'TAUR. s. In mythology, a fabulous being, supposed to be half 

46 



CEN— CHA 

man and half horse. L. centaurus ; G. kentauros : kenteo, to spur 

or drive forward, and tauros, a bull. 
CENTEN'NARY. adj. Relating to a hundred. L. centennarius : 

centum, a hundred. 
CEN'TIPEDE. s. An insect with many feet. L. centum, a hundred, 

and pedes, (pi. of pes,) feet. 
CENTRE, s. The middle; that which is equally distant from all ex- 
tremities. L. centrum : G. kentron, a sharp point, or centre ; from 

kenteo, to prick. 
CENTRIF'UGAL. adj. Receding from the centre. L. centrum, the 

centre, and fugio, to flee. 
CENTRIP'ETAL. adj. Approaching the centre. L. centrum, the 

centre, and peto, to seek. 
CEN'TUPLE. adj. A hundred fold. L. centuplex : centum, a hun- 
dred, and plico, to fold. 
CENTU'RION. s. A Roman commander of a hundred men. L. cen- 

turio ; from centum, a hundred. 
CEN'TURY. s. A hundred ; a hundred years. L. centuria .- centum, 

a hundred. 
CEPHALTC. adj. Medicinal to the head. F. cephalique : G. kephale, 

the head. 
CE'RATE. s. An ointment composed chiefly of wax. L. ceratum : 

cera, wax. 
CERE'CLOTH. s. Cloth dipped in wax or gum. L. cera, wax, and 

cloth. 
CER'TAIN. adj. Determined; stated; regular; sure; indubitable. 

L. certus ; from cerno, to sift, or separate. 
CERTIFY, v. To make a formal attestation. F. certifier : L. certus, 

sure, and facio, to make. 
CERTIORARI, s. A writ to order the record of a cause to be brought 

before a superior court. L. certiorari, to be made more certain. 
CERU'LEAN. adj. Light blue. L. cceruleus : ccelum, the sky. 
CER'UMEN. s. The wax formed in the ear. L. cerumen : cera, wax. 
CESS. s. A tax levied, by its own officers, on a county or a parish. 

L. cessum, sup. ofcedo, to yield. 
CESSA'TION. s. A stop ; suspension of action. L. cessatio. See 

CEASE. 
CES'SION. s. Resignation ; assignment. L. cessio ; from cessum, sup. 

of cedo, to vield. 
CETACEOUS, adj. Of the whale kind. L. cctus : G.ketos, a whale. 
CETOL'OGY. s. The doctrine or natural history of cetaceous animals 

G. ketos, a whale, and logos, discourse. 
CHAFE, v. To heat by rubbing; to make angry; to fret. F. chauf. 

fer : L. calfacio : calidus, hot, and facio, to make. 
CHALTCE. s. A sacramental cup. F. calice : L. calix : G. kulix, a 

cup. 
CHALYB'EATE. adj. Impregnated with iron or steel. L. chalybs : 

G. clialvps, steel. 
CHAMA'DE. s. The beat of a drum, indicating a desire for a parley. F. 
CHAM'OIS. s. A kind of soft leather. F. chamois, a wild goat. 
CHAMPAIGN', adj. Relating to a flat, open country. F. campagne ; 

from champ : L. campus, a field. 

47 



CHA-CHA 

CHAM'PION. s. A warrior ; one who engages in single combat. F. 
champion : champ : L. campus, a field. 

CHANCEL, s. The place in a church where the altar stands. F, 
chancel : L. cancelli, lattices ; referring to the enclosure. 

CHAN'CELLOR. s. This word is not placed here for the purpose of 
exhibiting its etymology ; but, on the contrary, of stating that its 
derivation has not been satisfactorily ascertained, even by the great- 
est lawyers. See Blackstone's Com. 

CHANDELIER, s. A branch for candles. F. chandelier ; from chan- 
delle, a candle. 

CHAN'DLER. s. A maker of candles. F. chandelier : chandelle, a 
candle. 

CHAN'NEL. s. The hollow bed of running water. F. canal ; L. ca- 
nalis, a trunk or pipe for the conveyance of water. 

CHANT, v. To sing ; to sing, as in church-service. F. chanter ; L. 
canto, fieq. of cano, to sing. 

CHAN'TICLEER. s. A name given to the house-cock. F. chanter, 
to sing, and clair, clear : L. canto, and clarus. 

CHA'OS. s. A confused mass or mixture. G. chaos, signifying, pro- 
perly, a vast chasm : from chao, to gape. 

CHAOTIC, adj. Confused. See CHAOS. 

CHAP'EL. s. A house for public worship. F. chapelle. It is said 
that the kings of France, in war, carried into the field St. Martin's 
hat, which was kept in a tent, as a precious relic ; whence the place 
took the name capella, a little hat, and the priest, who had the cus- 
tody of the tent, was called capellanus, now chaplain, 

CHAPERON, v. To attend on a lady, in a public assembly. F. cha- 
peron, a hood or cap anciently worn by men, women, nobles, and the 
populace. 

CHAPLAIN, s. Originally, an ecclesiastic, who performs service in 
a chapel. See CHAPEL. 

CHAP'LET. s. A garland or wreath for the head. F. chapelet : L. 
caput, the head. 

CHAP'TER. s. A division of a book ; (an assembly of the clergy of a 
cathedral or collegiate church.) F. chapitre : L. capitulum, dim. 
of caput, a head : hence we say, " the heads of a discourse ;" mean- 
ing, the titles of each chapter. 

CHAR' ACTER. s. A mark ; a stamp ; a letter used in writing or 
printing ; representation ; reputation. L. character, a branding-, 
iron : G. character : from karasso, to scrape, cut, or engrave. G. 
charasso, to imprint, or stamp. 

CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, s. A diplomatic agent, in rank inferior 
to an ambassador. F. signifying, "charged with the business." 

CHAR'IOT. s. A half-coach ; a carriage with four wheels, and one 
seat behind. F. chariot. See CAR. 

CHAR'ITY. s. Love, benevolence, good-will, liberality to the poor. 
F. charitc ; L. charitas ; G. charis, grace, affection, kindness. 

CHAR'LATAN. s. A quack, or mountebank. F. charlatan; from an 
Italian word, signifying to chatter, 

CHARM, s. Words, or characters, imagined to have some secret 
power ; something which will please, irresistibly. F. charme : L, 
carmen, a song or a verse. 

48 



CHA-CHO 

CHARM, v. To delight highly. See the noun. 
CHAR'NELHOUSE. s. A depository of human bones. F. charncl, 

relating to flesh, and house. L. carnis, gen. of car o, flesh. 
CHART, s. A map for seamen. L. charta, paper, or a card. Sea- 

charts were formerly, in England, called sea-cards. 
CHAR'TER. s. A writing, containing a grant of privileges. L. charta, 

paper. 
CHASM, s. A cleft ; a place unfilled. G. chasma : chaino, to gape 

widely. 
CHASTE, adj. Pure ; undefiled. F. chaste : L. castus, pure. 
CHASTI'SE. v. To punish with a design of amending. See CHASTE. 
CHATEAU', s. A-stalely mansion. F. chateau, a castle. 
CHEER, v. To salute with shouts of joy ; to dispel gloom or sorrow; 

to encourage. G. chairo, to rejoice, hail, or salute. 
CHEM'IST, or CHYMIST. s. A separater and examiner of matter; 

and preparer of various compounds. F. chymiste : G. chumizo, to 

boil, or heat in the fire. 
CHER'ISH. v. To treat with tenderness and affection ; to foster and 

encourage. F. cherir. See CARESS. 
CHERSONE'SE. s. A peninsula. G. kersonesos : kersos, land, or 

uncultivated land, and nesos, an isle. 
CHEVALI'ER. s. A knight. F. chevalier ; from cheval, a horse ; be- 
cause the knights were formerly distinguished, in battle, by being 

mounted. See Rlackstone's Com. 
CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE. s. A defensive instrument of war, made of 

timber and iron spikes. F. This term denotes, in English, horses 

of Friesland : the contrivance having been first used in the latter 

country, as a substitute for cavalry. 
CHICANE, s. Artifice. F. chicane, a quirk. 
CHIEF, adj. Highest in office or rank; principal. F.chef; L. caput, 

the head. 
CHIMERIC AL. adj. Imaginary ; of extravagant conception. L. cha. 

mera, one of the poetical monsters. G. chimaira, a goat, a monstrous 

beast. 
CHIROG'RAPHY. s. The art of writing. G. cheir, a hand, and gra- 

pho, to write. 
CHIROL'OGY. s. Talking by the hand. G. cheir, a hand, and logos, 

a word. 
CHIRO'MANCY. s. The pretended art of palmistry, or foretelling 

the events of life by the lines of the hand. F. chiromance : G. cheir, 

a hand, and mantis, a prophet. 
CHIRUR'GERY. s. See SURGEON. 
CHIVALRY, s. Knighthood ; the qualifications or actions of a 

knight; the general system of knighthood. F. chevalerie. See 

CHEVALIER. 
CHLO'RINE. s. Chloric gas ; a new name given to what was origin- 
ally called oxj'inuriatic gas. G. chloros, green. 
CHOIR, s. A band of singers in a church ; the place where they sing. 

F. chceur. See CHORUS. 
CHOL'ERA MOR'BUS. s. A sudden effusion of the bile on the intes- 
tines, so as to operate violently, both upwards and downwards. L. 

cholera, the cholic, and morbus, a disease : G. chole, bile. 

E 49 



CHO— CIR 

CHOL'ERIC. adj. Bilious ; irascible. L. cholericus : G. chole, bile. 

CHOL'IC. s. A painful disorder of the stomach or bowels. G. chole, 
bile. 

CHO'RAL. adj. Belonging to a choir. See CHOIR. 

CHO'RUS. s. A band of singers ; part of a song in which the whole 
company join. L. chorus ; G. choros, a company of dancers and 
singers : from choreuo, to dance. 

CHRISM, s. Holy ointment. G. chrizma, an ointment. 

CHROMATIC, adj. Relating to the colour of light, and of natural 
bodies, and to a species of ancient music now unknown. G. chro- 
matids : chroma, colour. 

CHROME, s. A species of metal, which takes its name from the va- 
rious and beautiful colours which its oxyd and acid communicate to 
minerals. G. chroma, colour. 

CHRON'IC, or CHRONICAL, adj. Relating to diseases of long con- 
tinuance. F. chronique : G. chronos, time. 

CHRON ICLE. s. A brief history, with dates. G. chronos, time. 

CHRONOL OGY. s. The science of computing relative time. F. chro- 
nologie : G. chronos, time, and logos, a word, or discourse. 

CHRONOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring time. G. chro- 
nos, time, and metreo, to measure. 

CHRY'SALIS. s. An insect, such as a butterfly, when changing from 
its torpid state. L. chrysalis : G. chrusallis : chrusos, gold ; re- 
ferring to its yellow hue. 

CHRYSOLITE, s. A precious stone, of a dusky green, with a shade 
of yellow. F. chrysolite : G. chrusos, gold, and lithos, a stone. 

CHURCH, s. Originally, the collective body of Christians : in modern 
times, a hcuse dedicated to the worship of God. G. kuriakon ; from 
kuiios, a lord. 

CHYLE, s. A white juice, firmed in the intestines, and afterwards 
converted into blood. G. chulos, juice. 

CHYM'IST. s. A professor of chemistry. See CHEMIST. 

CIDEVANT. Formerly F. 

CIMME'RIAN. adj. Pertaining to Cimmerium, a town at the mouth 
of the Palus Mceotes ; the ancients pretended that this country was 
involved in darkness; whence the phrase Cimmerian darkness. The 
country is now called Crimea, or Krim-Tartary. 

CINCTURE, s. Something worn round the body; a bandage. L. 
cinctvra ; from cinctus, p. part, of cingo, to gird. 

CINERATION. s. The act of reducing to ashes. L. cineres i 
ashes. 

CINQUE-PORTS, s. The cinque-ports, or Jive ports, as the F. numeral 
cinque, denotes, were those in England, which, lying the nearest to 
France, were the more vigilantly guarded against invasion; and 
placed under the superintendence of a special governor. 

CITHER, s. Any arithmetical figure; but, in general, denoting 0: 
hence, the appellation to a person of no efficiency, "a mere cipher :" 
it also means, a secret mode of corresponding. F. chiffre, an arith- 
metical figure. 

CIRCEN'SIAN. adj. Pertaining to the circus, in Rome, where were 
practised games of various kinds, as running, wrestling, and com- 
bats. L. circenses. See CIRCUS. 

50 



CIR—CIT 

CIR'CLE. s. A line every where equidistant from a common centre. 

L. circulus : circum, around. 
CIR'CUIT. s. Motion around ; comprehensive tour ; space ; extent. 

L. circvitus: circum, around, and itus, a going : eo, to go. 
CIR'CULATE. v. To move in a circle ; to flow around. L. circulo. 

See CIRCLE. 
CIRCUMAG'GERATE. s. To heap around. L. circumaggero .- cir- 
cum, around, and aggero, to heap. 
CIRCUMAMBIENT, adj. Going around. L. circum, around, and 

ambiens, part, of ambio, to go about. 
CIR'CUMCISE. v. To cut the foreskin. L. circumcisum, sup. of cir- 

cumcido: circum, around, and cado, to cut. 
CIRCUM'FERENCE. s. Boundary of a circle. L. circumferens, part. 

of circumfero: circum, around, and fero, to carry. 
CIRCUMFEREN'TOR. s. An instrument used in surveying. L. 

circum, around, and fero, to carry. 
CIR'CUMFLEX. s. In grammar, an accent, serving to denote or dis. 

tinguish a syllable of an intermediate sound between acute and 

grave ; used in the Greek, bat not in the English language. L. 

circwmjlexus: circum, around, andjlecto, to bend. 
CIRCUM'FLUENT. adj. Flowing around. L. circumfluens, part, of 

circumfluo: circum, around, and Jluo, to flow. 
CIRCUMFORA'NEOUS. adj. Wandering from house to house. L. 

circum, around, and /oris, a door. 
CIRCUM FUSE. v. To pour, or spread around. L. circumfusum, sup. 

of circumfundo: circum, around, and /undo, to pour. 
CIRCUMJA'CENT. adj. Surrounding. L. circumjacens, part, of cir. 

cumj'iceo: circum, around, and jaceo, to lie. 
CIRCUMLOCUTION, s. Indirect expression of words. L. circum, 

about, and locutus, part, of loquor, to speak. 
CIRCUMNA'VIGATE. v. To sail around. L. circum, around, and 

navigate. 
CIRCUMSCRI'BE. v. To limit, by a real or imaginary circle. L. 

circum, around, and scribo, to write. 
CIR'CUMSPECT. adj. Cautious. L. circumspectus, p. part, of dr. 

cumspicio: circum, around, and specio, to view. 
CIRCUMSTANCE, s. Something relative to a fact; incident; con- 

dition. L. circumstantia; from circum, about, and starts, part, of 

sto, to stand. 
CIRCUMVALLA'TTON. s. A surrounding wall. L. circumvallatus, 

part, of circumvallo : circum, around, and vallo, (from vallum, a 

fence,) to enclose. 
CIRCUMVENT', v. To defeat by stratagem. L. circumventum, sup. 

of ciicumvenio: circum, around, and venio, to come. 
CIRCUMVOLUTION, s. The act of rolling around. L. circumvolu. 

ius, p. part, of circumvolvo. Soe CIRCUMVOLVE. 
CIRCUMVOLVE'. v. To roll around. L. circumvolvo: circum, around, 

nnd volvo, to roll. 
CIR'CUS. s. An open place, or theatre, for equestrian exhibitions. L. 

circus ; from circum, around. 
CIT'ADEL. s. A fortress or castle, in or near a city, intended for its 

defence. F. citadelle : L. civitas, a state or city. 

51 
■Q 



CIT— CLE 

CITA'TION. s. Act of summoning; a summons; a quotation. L. 
cifatus, p. part, of ciio, to summon. 

CIT' V. s. This term cannot be strictly defined : its application is ar- 
bitrary. Tl is applied always to the capital town; and frequently, 
but not universally, to any incorporated town. We may safely apply 
it to. places of great importance. F. cite: L. civitas ; from civis, a 
citizen. 

CIV JL. adj. Relating to the community in general ; mild ; obliging ; 
civil law, the law of ancient Rome. L. civilis ; from civis, a citizen. 

CIVILIAN, s. One who is skilled in the Roman law ; one who is 
versed in the science of law and government. See CIVIL. 

CLAIM, v. To demand as a right. L. clamo, to call aloud. 

CLAMOR, or CLAMOUR, s. Vehement outcry. L. clamor. See 
CLAIM. 

CLANDESTINE, adj. Secret; done in a manner to elude observa- 
tion. L. clandestinus: clam, secretly, and destino, to design. 

CLANG'OR. s. A loud, shrill sound. L. clangor, the sound of a trum- 
pet. G. klange: Jclazo, to cry aloud. 

CLARE-OBSCURE, s. Light and shade in painting. L. clarus, 
bright, and ohscurus, dusky. 

CLARIFY, v. To make clear. L. clarus, clear, and/o, to be made. 

CLARTON. s. A kind of trumpet. F. clairon: L. clarus, clear. 

CLARIONET', s. A kind of wind-instrument of music. See CLA- 
RION. 

CLAS'SIC, or CLASSICAL, adj. Relating to ancient literature, and 
to architecture, and modern literature, of the highest rank. L. clas- 
sicus. See CLASSICS. 

CLASSICS, s. Ancient literature of the first rank ; modern literature 
of uncommon merit. L. classis, a school-bench ; alluding to the seats 
arranged in the ancient academies. 

CLAUSE, s. Part of a discourse, or of a sentence. L. clausus, p. part, 
of claudo, to enclose : meaning, that a clause is separated by punc- 
tuation. 

CLAUS'TRAL. adj. Relating to a cloister or religious house. L. 
claustrum, an inclosure. See CLOSE. 

CLAVICLE, s. The collar-bone. L. clavicula, a little key or bolt: 
clavis, a key or bolt. 

CLEF. s. A character in music, placed at the beginning of a stave. 
F. clef ; L. clavis, a key. 

CLEM'ENCY. s. Mercy ; humanity. L. dementia : clemens, quiet, 
peaceable. 

CLER'GY. s. The body of ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity. 

F. clerge. See CLERK. 

CLERICAL, adj. ReLting or pertaining to the clergy. L. clericus ; 

G. klerihos. See CLERGY. 

CLERK, s. In the dark age?, preceding the revival of letters, the 
clergy engrossed every branch of learning, and were peculiarly re- 
markable for their knowledge of law. The English judges were, 
therefore, usually created out of the sacred order, and all the infe- 
! rior offices were supplied by the lower clergy ; which has occasioned 
their successors to be denominated clerks, to this day : and hence, 
the same title is given to nearly all persons employed in any subor- 

0-4 



CLI— COG 

dinate office, that requires a knowledge of writing or accounts. L. 
clericus, a clergyman : G. kleros, a lot, or office. 

CLIMACTERIC, or CLIMACTRIC. s. A period of life, when some 
great change is supposed to befall the body. F. climaterique ; L. 
climactericus : G. klimakter, the step of a ladder. See CLIMAX. 

CLI'MATE. s. A space measured from the equator to the p les ; a 
certain temperature or situation, indicating a degree different from 
another. L. clima : G. kit ma ; from kiino, to change, or incline. 

CLI'MAX. s. Gradual ascent; a rhetorical figure, by which the words 
gradually rise in importance. L. climax ; G. klimax, a ladder. 

CLINIC, or CLINTCAL. adj. Relating to a person who, from sick- 
ness, is compelled to remain in bed. A " clinical lecture" is delivered 
by a medical professor at the bed-side. G. klinikos ; klino, to lie 
down. 

CLOIS'TER. s. A place of religious seclusion. L. clauslrum, an en- 
closure, or closet. See CLOSE. 

CLOSE, s. To shut; to conclude; to end. See the adjective. 

CLOSE, adj. Shut fast; secret; confined; compact. L. clausus, p. 
part, of claudo, to shut. 

CLOSET, s. A small room for retirement, or for the preservation of 
valuable things. See CLOSE. 

CLOUD, s. An opaque assemblage in the sky. L. claudo, to shut. 

CLOWN, s. A rustic ; a coarse ill-bred man ; one who makes sport at 
a theatrical entertainment. L. colonus : colo, to till. 

COAD'JUTOR. s. An assistant ; a partner. L. con, together, and ad~ 
jutor, a helper : ad, to, and jutus, p. part, ofjuvo, to help. 

COAG'ULATE. v. To curdle.. L. coagulo: con, together, and ago, 
to go. 

COALESCE', v. To unite. L. coalesce, to grow together : con, toge- 
ther, and alo, to nourish or increase. 

COALITION, s. Union. L. coalilvs, part, of coalesco. See COA- 
LESCE. 

COAST, s. The exterior line, limit, or border of a country ; the sea- 
shore. F. cote, formerly coste : L. costa, a rib or side. 

CODE. s. A system of laws or regulations. F. code : L, codex, the 
ligneous part of a tree; by metonymy, a book: because, books were 
occasionally made of thin boards. 

CODTCIL. s. A supplement to a will. L. codicillus, diminutive of 
codex. See CODE. 

COEFFICIENT, adj. Uniting in action. L. con, together, and effi- 
cient. 

COERCE', v. To force ; to restrain. L. co'erceo : con, together, and 
arceo, to stop, or hinder. 

COETICR'NAL. adj. Equally eternal. L. con, with, and eternal. 

COE VAL. adj. Equally ancient. L. cocbvus : con, together, and azvum, 
an age. 

COEXIST', v. To exist at the same time. L. con, together, and 
exist. 

COEXTEND'. v. To reach to an equal distance. L. con, together, 
and extend. 

CO'GENT. adj. Powerful; convincing. L. cogens, part, of cogo, to 
assemble, or compel : con, with, and ago, to act. 

e* 53 



COG— COL 

CO'GITATE. v. To think. L. cogito ; from cogo, to assemble ; mean- 
ing the mental faculties. 
COG'NATE. adj. Allied by blood ; kindred by birth ; related in ori- 
gin. L. cognatus : con, with, and natus, part, of nascor, to be born. 
COGNFTION. s. Knowledge ; consciousness. L. cognitio : from cog' 

nosco, to discover or understand. 
COGNIZANCE, s. Judicial notice ; judicial authority. F. connois- 

sance : L. cognosco, to discover. 
COHAB'IT. v. To live together as husband and wife. L. cohabito : 

con, together, and habito, to dwell. 
COHABITANT, s. An inhabitant of the same place. L. cohabitans, 

part, of cohabito : con, together, and habito, to dwell. 
COHEIR', s. One of two or more persons who inherit the same estate. 

L. con, together, and heir. 
COHE'RE. v. To stick together. L. cohtzreo : con, together, and 

hczreo, to stick fast. 
COHE'SION. s. Act of cohering ; union of surfaces. L. cohasus, 

part, of cohareo. See COHE.RE. 
COIF. s. A hood ; a cap. Sir H. Spelman conjectures that coifs were 

introduced amongst the clergy, to hide the tonsure of such as were 

still tempted to remain in the secular courts, as advocates or judges, 

notwithstanding their prohibition by canon. F. coiffe ; from couvrir, 

to cover. 
COIL. v. To wind into a ring, as a serpent, or a rope. F. cueiller, to 

gather. 
COIN. s. In architecture, a corner ; any thing standing out angularly. 

F. coigne : G. gonia, a corner. 
COINCI'DE. v. To meet in the same point ; to agree. L. coincido : 

con, together, in, into, and cado, to fall. 
COFTION. s. The act by which two bodies come together. L. coitio : 

coitus, p. part, of coeo : con, together, and eo, to go. 
COL'ANDER. s. A strainer. L. colo, to strain. 
COLIC. See CHOLIC. 
COL'LAR. s. A band for the neck. L. collare : from collum, the 

neck. 
COLLA'TE. v. To compare one copy or one thing with another of the 

same kind ; to place in an ecclesiastical benefice, by the single act 

of the ordinary, when patron. L. collatum, sup. of confero : con, 

together, and/ero, to bring. 
COLLAT'ERAL. adj. Running parallel ; not direct; equally related. 

L. collateralis : con, together, and lutvs, a side : that is, side by side, 

remaining together. 
COLLA'TION. s. Act of collating; a species of repast. L. collatio. 

See COLLATE. 
COL'LEAGUE. s. An associate, or partner. L. con, together, and 

league. 
COLLECT', v. To gather; to assemble. L. collectum, sup. ofcolligo: 

con, together, and lego, to gather. 
COL'LEGE. s. A public place of study; a state-assembly. L. coZZe- 

sivm ; from colligo. See COLLECT. 
COLLIGATION, s. The act of binding together. L. colligatio : coU 

ligatus, p. part, of colligo : con, together, and ligo, to bind. 

54 



COL— COM 

COLLISION, s. The act of striking together. L. collisio ; from coU 
lido : con, together, and lado, to strike or hurt, 

COLLOCA TION. s. The act of placing things together. L. collo. 
catio : collocatus, p. part, of colloco : con, together, and loco, to 
place. 

COLLOQUIAL, adj. Relating or belonging to familiar discourse. 
See COLLOQUY. 

COL'LOQU Y„ s. Conversation ; conference. L. colloquium ; con, to- 
gether, and loquor, to speak. 

COLLU'DE. v. To play in concert, so as to cheat ; to conspire in a 
fraud. L. colludo: con, together, and ludo, to play. 

COLLUSION, s. Act of colluding; design of two or more persons to 
defraud. L. collusio : collusum, sup. of colludo. See COLLUDE. 

CO'LON. s. A grammatical point (:) ; one of the intestines. G. kolon, 
a member. 

COLONNA'DE. s. A peristyle, of a circular figure, or a series of co- 
lumns, disposed in a circle, and insulated on the inner side; any se- 
ries or range of columns. See COLUMN. 

COL'ONY. s. A country planted by a foreign state ; the people inha- 
biting, or intending to inhabit the plantation. L. volonia : G. kolon, 
a member. 

COLOS'SUS. s. A huge statue. L. colossus : G. kolossos. The most 
celebrated colossal statue was that of Apollo, at Rhodes, which was 
126 feet high. The name is derived from kollao, to join strongly 
with cement ; alluding to the number of pieces of which it was com- 



COLTER. See COULTER. 

COLUM'BAR Y. s. A dove-cot ; a pigeon-house. L. columbarium : 

columba, a pigeon. 
COL'UMN. s. A round pillar, by which something is supported ; a 

body of troops, formed into an oblong ; a section of a page, when 

divided equally by a perpendicular line. L. columna : columen, a 

prop ; from columis, whole, safe. 
COL'URES. s. Two great circles, imagined to pass through the poles 

of the world ; one through the equinoctial, and the other through the 

solstitial points. L. coluri : G. kolouri ; from kolouros, cut short ; 

because, a part of their circumference lies under the horizon. 
COMB. s. An instrument to separate and adjust the hair ; the crest 

of a cock. L. coma, the hair : the cavities in which bees lodge their 

honey. G. kumbos, a cave, or hollow place. 
COMBAT, v. To fight; to oppose. F. combattre : L. con, together, 

and batuo, to beat. 
COMBI'NE. v. To unite. F. combiner : L. con, together, and binus, 

a couple. 
COMBUS'TIBLE. adj. Susceptible of ignition. L. combustus, p. part, 

of combxiro : con, with, and uro, to burn. 
COM'EDY. s. An amusing drama. L. comedia : G. komodia : kome, 

a village, and ode, a song. 
COMET, s. A kind of planet. L. cometa ; from coma, hair : referring 

to its apparent tail. 
COM'FORT. v. To strengthen, to invigorate, to cheer or enliven. F. 

conforter : L. con, with, and fort is, strong. 

55 



COM— COM 

COM'IC. adj. Relating to comedy ; fitted to excite merriment. L. 

comicus. See COMEDY. 
COM'ITY. s. Courtesy, civility. L. comitas ; from comis, gentle, 

mild. 
COM'MA. s» A grammatical point (,) denoting the shortest pause in 

reading; in music, the ninth part of a tone, G.komma, a slice, or 

very small part : from Tiopto, to cut. 
COMMAND', s. Government; direction. F. commande : L. con and 

mando, to intrust with : mando is from manus, a hand, and do, to 

give; meaning, to commit to another's power. 
COMMEMORATE, v. To preserve the memory of, by some public 

act. L. commemoro : con, together, and memoro, to remember. 
COMMEND', v. To recommend; to approve. L. commendo: con, 

with, and mando, to intrust. 
COMMEN'DAM. s. A church benefice, given in trust. See COM- 

MEND. 
COMMEN'SURATE. adj. Equal; proportionate. L. con, with, and 

inensura, a measure. 
COMMEJST'. v. To remark; to annotate. L. commentor ; from com. 

meatus, part, of comminisco, to call to mind. 
COM'MERCE. s. Extensive trade ; intercourse. F. commerce : L. 

commercium : con, together, and mercor, to purchase. 
COMMINGLE, v. To blend. L. con, together, and mingle. 
COMMIS'ERATE. v. To pity. L. commiseror : con, with, misereor, 

to be sorry. 
COM'MISSARY. s. In military language, means a person who su- 
perintends the supplying of an army with clothing, provisions, and 

ammunition. Low L. commissarius. See COMMISSION. 
COMMISSION, s. Act of committing ; authority given. F. commis- 
sion: L. commissum : con, with, and missus, p. part, of mitlo, to 

send. 
CO?vIMIT'. ». To give in trust; to perpetrate. L. committo : con, 

with, and mitto, to send. 
COMMITTEE', s. Persons chosen by a larger number, to consider 

some business, and report their opinion. See COMMIT. 
COMMIX', v. To blend. L. con, together, and mix. 
CO?>IMO DIOUS. adj. Convenient. L. commodus : con, with, and 

modus, due proportion, a measure. 
COMMODTTY. s. Something useful. Y.commodite: L. com.moditas. 

See COMMODIOUS. 
COM'MON. adj. General ; vulgar. L. communis : con, together, and 

munus, a benefit, or right. 
COM'MORANCE. s. The act of dwelling or inhabiting. L. commo. 

rans, part, of commoror : con, together, and moror, to stay or dwell. 
COMMO'TION. s. Tumult; disturbance; agitation. L. commotio: 

commotus, p. part, of commvveo : con, together, and moveo, to move. 
COMMO'RIENT. adj. Dying together ; dying at the same time. L. 

commoriens : con, together, and moriens, part, of morior, to die. 
COMMU'NE. v. To converse ; to impart sentiments mutually. L. 

communico. See COMMON. 
COMMIT NIB US ANNIS. On the annual average. L. communibus, 

in common, annis, years : (communis and annus.) 

58 



COM— COiVI 

COMMUNICATE, v. To impart, or reveal. L. communico. See 

COMMON. 
COMMUNION, s. Intercourse; participation. L. communio. See 

COMMON. 
COMMUNITY, s. The state of being common ; people united into a 

society, and having a common interest; that state which is opposed 

to individuality of interest. L. communitas. See COiWMON. 
COMMUTE, v. To change; to put one thing in the place of another. 

L. commuto ; from con, with, and muto, to change. 
COM' PACT. s. An agreement. L. con, with, and partus, part, of 

paciscor, to bargain. 
COMPACT', adj. Firm ; close. L. compactus, p. part, of compingo : 

con, together, and pango, to strike, or drive in. 
COMPANION, s. An associate. F. compagnon: L. compago, a joint ; 

con, together, and pango, to fix. 
COMPAR'ATIVE. adj. Relating to comparison. See COMPARE. 
COMPA'RE. v. To judge or estimate, relatively, things which have 

some resemblance, or are of the same nature. L. comparo : con, to- 
gether, and par, a pair. 
COM'PASS. v. To encircle; to surround; to attain. See the noun. 
COM'PASS. s. Circle ; round ; limits ; an instrument with which a 

circle is drawn ; an instrument whereby mariners steer. L. con, 

with, and passus, p. part, ofpando, to spread or extend. 
COMPAS'SION. s. Pity. F. compassion : L. con, with, and passus, 

part, ofpatior, to suffer. 
COMPATIBLE, adj. Suitable ; consistent. F. compatible : L. con, 

together, and patibilis ; patior, to receive, or suffer to be mixed 

with. 
COMPATRIOT, s. One of the same country ; a fellow-patriot. F. 

compatriote : L. con, together, and patria, a country. 
COMPEL', v. To force. L. compello; from con, with, and pello, to 

drive. 
COMPENDIOUS, adj. Short ; abridged. See COMPENDIUM. 
COMPENDIUM, s. An abstract ; an abridgment. L. compendium ; 

from con, together, and pendo, to weigh, or deliberate on : meaning, 

that care was used to admit only what was important. 
COMPENSATE, v. To recompense. L. compenso : con, with, and 

pensus, p. part, of pendo, to pay. 
COMPE'TE. v. To seek or strive for the same thing as another ; to 

strive or claim to be equal. L. competo : con, with, and peto, to seek. 
COM'PETENT. adj. Suitable; adequate ; qualified. L. competens, 

part, of competo : con, with, and peto, to desire, or obtain. 
COMPETITION", s. Rivalship. L. con, together, and petitio, a desire. 
COMPI'LE. s. To collect from the works of others. L. compilo ; from 

con, and pilo, to pull off. 
COMPLACENT, adj. Mild. L. complacens, part, of complaceo, to 

please. 
COMPLAIN, v. To murmur. F. complaindre : L. con, and plango, 

to beat, (meaning the breast,) or bewail. 
COMPLAISANT', adj. Civil ; desirous to please. F. complaisant : 

L. complacens. See COMPLACENT. 
COiVlTLEMENT. s. Generally signifies a just quantity. L. comple- 

57 



COM— CON 

menium, a filling up, or completion ; from compleo. See COM- 
PLETE. 

COMPLE'TE. adj. Perfect ; full. L. completus, part, of camplcor : 
con, with, and pleor, to be filled. 

COMPLEX, adj. Of many parts; entangled. L. complexus, part, of 
complector : con, together, and plector, to be folded. 

COMPLEX'ION. s. Appearance, (all the colours, or all the circum- 
stances, being seen in one view ;) colour of the face. F. complexion : 
L. complexio. See COMPLEX. 

COMPLICATE, adj. Involved ; difficult. L. complicatus, part, of 
complico : con, together, and plico, to fold. 

COMPLIMENT, s. A flattering expression of civility. F. compli- 
ment ; from compiler. See COMPLY. 

COMPLY', v. To accord with ; to submit. F. compiler ; con, with, 
and plier, to bend. 

COMPO'NENT. adj. Composing ; constituting ; forming a compound. 
L. componens. See COMPOSE. 

COMPORT', v. To agree ; to suit ; (followed by with.) F. comporter : 
L. con, together, and porto, to carry or bear. 

COMPO'SE. v. To put together ; to invent ; to calm. F. composer : 
L. compositum, sup. of compono : con, together, and pono, to place. 

COM POSITE. adj. Of several kinds. L. compositus. See COMPOSE. 

COMPOS MENTIS. Of sound and composed mind. L. 

COM'POST. s. A mixture for manure. See COMPOSE. 

COMPO'SURE. s. Calmness of mind; tranquillity. See COMPOSE. 

COMPOUND', v. To mix; to combine. L. compono. See COMPOSE. 

COMPREHEND', v. To include ; to understand. L. comprehendo : 
con, together, and prehendo, to lay hold on. 

COMPRESS', v. To press together; to condense. L. compressum, 
sup. ofcomprhno: con, together, and premo, to press. 

COMPRISE, v. To contain; to conclude. F. compris, comprised; 
from comprendre. See COMPREHEND. 

COM'PROMISE. s. Mutual abatement. F. compromis : L. compro- 
missum : con, together, and promissus, p. part, of promitto, to pro- 
mise. 

COMPTROL'LER. s. A director ; a supervisor. F. compte, an ac- 
count, and rolle, a list. 

COMPUL'SION. s. Act of compelling. L. compulsio : compulsus, p. 
part. oUompello. See COMPEL. 

COMPUNCTION, s. Uneasiness of conscience. F. compunction : L. 
punctus, p. part, ofpungo, to prick. 

COMPURGATOR, s. One who bears his testimony to the credibility 
of another : (compurgators are not, however, admitted in modern 
times.) L. compurgator ; con, together, and purgo, to cleanse. — See 
Hume's History of England; or Blackstone's Commentaries. 

COMPU'TE. v. To calculate. L. computo ; con, together, and puto, 
to consider. 

COM'RADE. s. Literally, one who lodges in the same room ; hence, 
in a more general sense, a fellow, a mate, or companion. F. cama- 
rade : L. camera, a chamber. 

CONCATENATION, s. A series of links; uninterrupted succession. 
L. con, together, and catena, a chain. 

58 



CON— CON 

CON'CAVE. adj. Hollow ; opposed to convex. L. concavus ; from 
cavea, a cave. 

CONCEAL', v. To hide. L. concelo : celo, to hide. 

CONCEDE, v. To yield, or grant. L. concedo: con, with, and cedo, 
to yield. 

CONCEIT', s. Thought; opinion; pride. F. concept: L. conceptus, 
p. part, of concipio, to conceive. 

CONCEIVE', v. To form in the mind ; to comprehend ; to think ; to 
become pregnant. F. concevoir : L. concipio: con, with, and capio, 
to take. 

CONCENTRATE, v. To bring towards the centre; to bring toge- 
ther. L. con, together, and centrum, the centre. 

CONCEPTION, s. Act of conceiving ; thing conceived ; idea; know- 
ledge; state of becoming pregnant. L. conceptio : conceptus, p. part. 
of concipio, to conceive : con, together, and capio, to take. 

CONCERN', s. Business; participation; regard. F. concerner, to re- 
gard : L. con, with, and cerno, to separate, sift, divide ; to see. 

CONCERT', v. To contrive and settle by mutual communication 
of opinions or propositions. L. concerto: con, with, and certo, to 
strive. 

CON'CERT. s. Agreement of two or more in a design or plan ; the 
music of a company of players or singers, or of both united ; ac- 
cordance ; harmony. See the verb. 

CONCESSION, s. Act of conceding. L. concessio ; from con, and 
cessum, sup. of cedo, to yield. 

CONCHOL'OGY. s. A description of shell-fish, or of shells ; the 
science which treats of shell-fish. L. concha, a shell-fish, or shell, 
and G. logos, a word. 

CONCfiOI'DAL. adj. In mineralogy, resembling a conch or marine 
shell : conch, and G. eidos, form. 

CONCI'SE. adj. Brief. L. concisus, part, of concidor, to cut. 

CONCLAVE, s. A close assembly. L. conclave, an inner apartment : 
con, with, and clavis, a key. 

CONCLUDE, v. To finish; to decide. L. concludo: con, and claudo, 
to shut up. 

CONCLUSION, s. Act of concluding ; termination; result. L. con- 
clusio. See CONCLUDE. 

CONCOCT', v. To digest ; to ripen. L. concoctum, sup. ofconcoquo, to 
boil. 

CONCOM'ITANT. adj. Accompanying. L. concomitans : con, toge- 
ther, and comitans, part, of comitor, to accompany; comes, a compa- 
nion. 

CONCORD, s. Agreement. L. concordia : con, together, and cordia, 
pi. of cor, the heart. 

CONCOR'DAT. s. In the canon law, a compact, covenant, or agree- 
ment, concerning some beneficiary matter, as a resignation, permu- 
tation, or promotion. See CONCORD. 

CONCOURSE, s. Assemblage. F. concours : L. concursus. See 
CONCUR. 

CONCRETE, s. A substance formed by the union of dry particles. 
L. concretio : concretus, part, of concresco, to be joined together : con 
and cresco. 

59 



CON— CON 

CON'CUBINE. s. A woman who cohabits with a man, without the 

authority of a legal marriage ; the mistress of a married man. L. 

concvbina : con, with, and cubo, to lie. 
CONCUPISCENCE, s. Irregular desire; lust. L. concupiscentia : 

concupisco, to covet : incep. from con, and cvpio, to desire. 
CONCUR', v. To meet in one point; to agree. L. concurro: con, to- 

gether, and curro, to run. 
CONCUSSION, s. Sudden and great agitation. L. concussio : con, 

together, and quassus, p. part, of quatio, to shake, or jolt. 
CONDEMN', v. To pronounce guilty ; to censure ; to declare unfit for 

use. L. condemno : con, with, and damnum, loss, or damage. 
CONDENSE', v. To make closer. L. condenso : con, together, and 

denseo, to thicken. 
CONDESCEND', v. To stoop. L. condescendo: con, with, and de- 

scendo, to come down. 
CONDIGN', adj. Suitable ; deserved. L. condignus ; from con, with, 

and dignus, worthy, fit. 
CONDIMENT, s. Seasoning, sauce. L. condimentum : condio, to 

season, pickle, or preserve. 
CONDITION, s. Stipulation ; state. L. conditio : condo, to build. 
CONDO'LE. v. To join in grief. L. condoleo : con, with, and doleo, 

to grieve. 
CONDU'CE. v. To aid in promoting ; to contribute. L. conduco : con, 

together, and duco, to lead. 
CONDUCT', v. To lead, or direct. L. conduco : con, together, and 

ductus, p. part, of duco, to lead. 
CON'DUCT. s. Management ; behaviour. See the verb. 
CONDUIT, s. An aqueduct, formed of pipes ; a conductor for ^ny 

fluid. F. conduit. See CONDUCT. 
CONE. s. A solid body, having a circular base, and declining regu- 
larly to a point. L. conus : G. konos, the seed of the pine ; or a cone. 
CONFABULATION, s. Conversation. L. confabulatio : con, toge- 
ther, and fabula, a discourse. 
CONFECTIONER, s. A maker of sweetmeats. L. confectio, a pre- 
paration : con, together, and facto, to make. 
CONFEDERATE, s. An ally; an associate. L. con, together, and 

fcederatus, allied : fcedus, a league. 
CONFER', v. To consult : to bestow. L. confero : con, together, and 

fero, to bring. 
CONFESS', ik To acknowledge; to avow ; to hear the confession of a 

penitent, as a priest. F. confesser : L. confiteor : con, with, andfateor, 

to own or avow : fatus, p. part, of for, to speak. 
CONFIDENCE, s. Belief ; trust; firmness. L. confidentia ; from con 9 

with, and jWes, faith. 
CONFINE, v. To limit ; to imprison. F. conjiner : L. con, with, and 

finis, a boundary. 
CONFINES, s. Borders. F. confins : L. confine, a place adjoining : 

con, together, and finis, a boundary. 
CONFIRM', v. To strengthen ; to establish. L. confirmo ; con, toge* 

ther, and firmo, to strengthen. 
CONFIS'CATE. v. To seize for public use. L. confiscor : fiscus, a 

a public money-bag. 

60 



CON— CON 

CONFL AGRA'TION. s. An extensive fire. F. conflagration : L. con, 

tog-ether, and flagro, to burn. 
CON'FLICT. s. A violent collision ; a combat. L. conflictus ; from 

conjiigo : con, together, and fligo, to dash. 
CONFLUENCE, s. Meeting of streams. L. confluens, part, of con- 

fluo : con, together, arnd fluo, to flow. 
CON' FLUX. s. Concourse ; crowd. L. confluxus, part, of confluo. 

See CONFLUENCE. 
CONFORM', v. To assimilate; to comply with. L. conformo: con, 

with, and formo, to shape. 
CONFOUND', v. To perplex, or amaze. L. confundo : con, together, 

and f undo, to pour. 
CONFRONT', v. To bring face to face. F. confronter : L. con, toge- 
ther, and frons, the forehead, or front. 
CONFU'SE. v. To mix or blend things, so that they cannot be distin- 
guished ; to disorder, or perplex. L. confusus, p. part, of confundo. 

See CONFOUND. 
CONFU'TE. v. To convict of error, or falsehood. L. confuto ; from 

con, and futo, to argue. 
CONGEAL', v. To become solid, as ice. L. congelo : gelu, ice. 
CONGE', s. Act of reverence ; bow ; courtesy ; leave ; farewell. F. 
CONGE' D'ELIRE. s. Signifies, in England, the king's permission 

to a dean and chapter, to choose a bishop. F. conge, a license, 

d'elire, to elect. 
CONGE'NI AL. adj. Of the same kind ; agreeable. L. con, with, and 

genus, a sort. 
CONGES'TION. s. A collection of humours, or an accumulation of 

blood, in some part of an animal body. L. congestio : conjestus, p. 

part, ofconjero: con, together, and gero, to bear. 
CONGLOMERATE, v. To become round. L. conglomero : con, and 

glomus, a ball of thread. 
CONGLU'TINATE. v. To cement. L. conglutino : gluten, glue. 
CONGRATULATE, v. To rejoice with a person on account of his 

good fortune. L. congratulor : con, with, and gratus, thankful. 
CONGREGA'TION. s. A collection ; a religious assembly. L. congre- 

gatio ; from con, together, and gregis, gen. ofgrex, a flock. 
CONGRESS, s. A meeting ; a national assembly. L. congressio ; 

from congredior : con, together, and gradior, to go : gradus, a step. 
CONGRUTTY. s. Suitableness; the relation of agreement between 

things. L. congruo, to agree. 
CONICAL, adj. Having the form or properties of a cone. L. conicus ; 

G. konikos. See CONE. 
CONIF'EROUS. adj. Bearing cones. L. conus, a cone, and fero, to 

bear. 
CONJECTURE, s. Supposition. L. conjectura : con, together, and 

jocio, to throw [our ideas.] 
CON'JUGAL. adj. Matrimonial. L. conjugalis : conjugis, gen. of 

conjux: con, together, and junctus, p. part, of jungo, to join. 
CON' JUG ATE. v. To decline a verb through its variations, and with 

a nominative prefixed ; so that the verb shall agree with the nomina- 
tive, in number and person. L. conjugo: con, together, and^'w^o, to 

join. 

f 61 



CON— CON 

CONJUNCTION, s. Act of conjoining; a connector of words. L. 

conjunctio; from conjungo: con, together, and jungo, to join. 
CONJURE', v. To call upon by a sacred name, or in a solemn man- 
ner. L. conjuro : con, with, and juro, to swear. 
CONJURE. (Pronounced kun'jur.) To practise the arts of a con- 
jurer. See CONJURE. 
CONNAS'CENCE. s. The common birth of two or more at the 

same time. L. con, with, and nascor, to be born. 
CONNATE', adj. Born with another ; united in origin ; growing from 

one base. See CONNASCENCE. 
CONNECT', v. To join. L. connecto ; from con, together, and necto, 

to link, or knit. 
CONNFVE. v. To aid, by pretending ignorance of another's design. 

L. conniveo, to wink. 
CONNOISSEU'R. s. A judge, or critic. F. connoisseur : L. cognosco, 

to know. 
CONNUBIAL, adj. Nuptial. L. connubialis : con, together, and nubo, 

to cover, or marry. Amongst the Romans, it was customary for the 

bride. to wear a veil. 
CON'NUSANT. adj. Having knowledge of; apprised. L. cognosco : 

con, with, and nosco, to know. 
CO'NOID. s. A figure resembling a cone. G. konos, a cone, and 

eidos, form. 
CON'QUER. v. To gain by conquest; to overcome. L. conquiro, to 

seek about, to get together. See CONQUEST. 
CON'QUEST. s. What is now called purchase, the feudists called eon. 

quest (conquestus, or conquisitio) : both signifying, in law, any means 

of acquiring an estate, out of the common course of inheritance : 

hence, the term was afterwards used to denote the act of subduing, 

or placing in subjection. L. con, with, or together, and quasitus, 

p. part, of qucero, to seek. 
CONSANGUIN'ITY. s. Relation by blood. L. consanguinitas : con, 

together, and sanguis, blood. 
CON'SCIENCE. s. Self-knowledge ; moral feeling. L. conscientia : 

con, with, and sciens, part, of scio, to know. 
CONSCIEN'TIOUS. adj. Regulated by conscience ; exactly just. See 

CONSCIENCE. 
CON'SCIOUS. adj. Knowing any thing, from internal judgment, or 

moral feeling. L. conscius. See CONSCIENCE. 
CONSCRIP'TION. s. An enrolment or registering. L. conscriptio : 

con, together, and scriptus, p. part, of scribo, to write. 
CON'SECRATE. v. To make holy; to dedicate. L. consecro: con, 

with, and sacro, to make sacred. 
CONSECUTIVE, adj. Uninterrupted. F. consecutif: L. con, toge- 
ther, and secutus, part, of sequor, to follow. 
CONSENT', v. To agree; to admit. L. consentio : con, with, and 

sentio, to think, or perceive. 
CONSENTANEOUS, adj. Agreeable; accordant; consistent with. 

L. consentaneous. See CONSENT. 
CON'SEQUENCE. s. Erfect. L. consequentia ; from consequens, 

following, or ensuing. Consequence is often improperly used for 

62 



CON— CON 

importance, — a person of consequence, instead of a person of import- 

ance. 
CONSERVA'TOR. s. A preserver of the public happiness. L. con- 

servator ; from con, together, and servo, to keep. 
CONSERVATORY, s. A place for holding delicate things. See 

CONSERVATOR. 
CONSIDER, v. To study ; to regard. L. considero : con, with, and 

sedeo, to sit. 
CONSID'ERABLE. adj. Worthy of consideration ; great. See CON- 
SIDER. 
CONSIGN', v. To assign, or intrust. L. consigno : con, with, and 

signo, to mark. 
CONSIST', v. To agree (followed by with) ; to be contained. L. con- 

sisto : con, together, and sisto, to stand. 
CONSIS'TENT. adj. According; proper. L. consistens, part, of con- 

sisto : con, together, and sisto, to be set. 
CONSISTO'RIAL. adj. Relating to an ecclesiastical court. L. con- 

sisto, to remain in one place : that is, not circuitous, as some of the 

common-law courts. 
CONSOLE, v. To comfort. L. consolor ; from con, with, and solor, 

to cheer. 
CONSOLIDATE, v. To make firm ; to unite. L. con, together, and 

solidus, firm. 
CONSO'NANT. adj. According with. L. consonans, part, of consono : 

con, with, and sono, to sound. 
CONSONANT, s. A letter, such as b, c, d ; the name of which cannot 

be articulated without the aid of a vowel ; therefore, sounded with 

another letter. See CONSO'NANT. 
CON'SORT. s. A companion ; a wife. L. con, together, and sors, a 

lot. 
CONSPICUOUS, adj. Obvious to the sight; distinguished. L. con- 

spicuus ; from conspicio, (con, and specio,) to discern. 
CONSPI'RE. v. To plot ; to join. L. conspiro : con, together, and 

spiro, to breathe. 
CON'STABLE. s. This officer was so called, because his duty was to 

regulate all matters of chivalry, tilts, tournaments, and feats of arms, 

that were performed on horseback. L. comes, an attendant or com- 
panion, stabuli, (gen. of stabulum,) of the stable. 
CONSTANT, adj. Perpetual; continent; assiduous. L. constans ; 

from con, with, and stans, part, of sto, to stand. 
CONSTELLATION, s. A cluster of stars. L. con, together, and 

stella, pi. of Stella, a star. 
CONSTERNATION, s. Amazement. L. consternatio : con, together, 

and sterno, to spread, or throw down. 
CON'STIPATE. v. To thicken ; to make costive. L. constipo : con, 

together, and stipo, to stuff. 
CONSTIT'UENT. s. A necessary part; one who appoints. L. con- 

stituens. Soe CONSTITUTE. 
CON'STITUTE. v. To form ; to appoint. L. constituo : con, together, 

and statuo, to establish : sto, to stand. 
CONSTITUTION, s. The act of constituting; established form of 

government ; frame. L. consiitutio. See CONSTITUTE. 

63 



CON— CON 

CONSTRAIN', v. To compel ; to hinder by force. F. constraindre : 

L. con, together, and stringo, to bind. 
CONSTRICT', v. To bind, to cramp. L. constrictus, p. part, of con- 

stringo: con, together, and stringo, to bind. 
CONSTRUE', v. To arrange words in their natural order ; to inter- 
pret ; to translate. L. constrvo. See CONSTRUCT. 
CONSTRUCT', v. To frame ; to build ; to form in the mind. L. 

construcius, p. part, of construo : con, together, and struo, to 

pile up. 
CONSTRUCTION, s. The act of constructing; structure; gramma- 

tical, logical, or mathematical arrangement. L. constrvctio. See 

CONSTRUCT. 
CONSUBSTAN'TIATE. v. To unite in one common substance or 

nature. L. con, with, and substantia, substance. 
CON'SUL. s. A species of public officer. L. consul: from consulo, to 

advise, or provide for. 
CONSULT', v. To deliberate together ; to ask advice of; to search 

into, or examine — as, to consult an author. L. consulto, frequent. 

of consulo : con, together, and salio, to leap ; signifying, to run or 

act in accordance. 
CONSU'ME. v. To spend ; to destroy. L. consumo : con, with, and 

sumo, to take. 
CON'SUMMATE. v. To complete. L. consummo ; from summus, the 

top. 
CONSUMMATE, adj. Complete; accomplished. L. consummalus. 

See the verb. 
CONSUMPTION, s. The act of consuming; wasting; state of being 

consumed. L. consumptio. See CONSUME. 
CON'TACT. s. Touch; junction. L. contactus, p. part, of contingo : 

con, together, and tango, to touch. 
CONTA'GION. s. Infection, from contact. L. contagio. See CON- 
TACT. 
CONTAIN', v. To hold ; to comprise. L. contine.o : con, together, and 

teneo, to hold. 
CONTAMINATE, v. To corrupt. L. contamino, to mix one thing 

with another. 
CONTEMN', v. To despise. L. contem.no : con, and temno, to despise : 

G. temno, to cut off. 
CONTEM'PLATE. v. To study; to have in view. L. contemplor : 

tern-plum, a recess. 
CONTEMPORARY, or COTEMPORARY. adj. Existing at the 

same time. L. con, together, and temporis, gen. of temp us, time. 
CONTEMPT', s. Act of despising others; scorn. L. contemptio: 

contemptus, p. part, of contemno. See CONTEMN. 
CONTEND', v. To strive in opposition. L. contendo ; from con, to- 
gether, and tendo, to stretch out. 
CONTENT', adj. Satisfied. L. contentus, p. part, of contineo : con, 

with, and teneo, to hold. 
CONTENTION, s. Act of contending; strife. L. contentio. See 

CONTEND. 

64 



CON— CON 

CONTEST, t». To dispute. L. contestor : eon, together, and testor, 

to aver, or call evidence. 
CONTEXT, s. General connexion or body of a discourse. L. con- 

textus, woven together, 
CONTIGUOUS, adj. Meeting, so as to touch. L. contiguus ; from 

contingo. See CONTACT. 
CONTINENCE, s. Self-restraint; chastity, F. continence : L. conti. 

nentia. See CONTINENT. 
CONTINENT, adj. Unchangeable ; chaste. F. continent : L. conti. 

nens, part, of contineo : con, together, and teneo, to hold. 
CONTINENT, s. A vast tract of land, not disjoined by the sea. F. 

continent. See the adjective. 
CONTIN'GENT. adj. Happening by chance ; accidental. L. contin. 

gens, part, of contingo: con, together, and tango, to touch. 
CONTINUE, v. To remain; to extend; to protract. L. continuo : 

con, together, and teneo, to hold. 
CONTINUITY, s. Connexion ; continuation. F. continuile. See 

CONTINUE. 
CONTORTION, s. Twist; contraction. L, contortio ; from con, to- 

gether, and tortus, p. part, of tor queo, to twist. 
CONTRACT', v. To draw together ; to lessen in extent ; to bargain. 

L. contractum, sup. of contraho : con, together, and traho, to draw. 
CONTRACT, s. A bargain. See the verb. 
CONTRACTION, a. The act of shortening. L. contractio. See 

CONTRACT'. 
CONTRADICT', v. To deny, or oppose verbally. L. contradictum, 

sup. of contradico : contra, against, and dico, to speak. 
CONTRA DISTINGUISH, v. To distinguish, by qualities, not only 

different, but opposite. L. contra, opposite to, and distinguish. 
CONTRARY, adj. Opposite ; adverse. L. contrarius ; contra, against, 

or opposite to. 
CONTRAST, s. Opposition, in form, colours, &c. F. contraste : L. 

contra, opposite to. 
CONTRAVALLATION. s. A defence erected parallel with another. 

L. contra, against, and vallum, a defence. 
CONTRA VE'NE. v. To oppose ; to obstruct ; to baffle. L. contrave- 

nio : contra, against, and venio, to come. 
CONTRIB'UTE. v. To give aid, in conjunction with one or more 

persons. L. contribuo : con, together, and tribuo, to give. 
CONTRITE, adj. Penitent. L. contritus, p. part, of c outer o : con, to- 
gether, and tritus, p. part, of tero, to rub, or break. 
CONTRI'VE. v. To plan. F. controuver : comme, as or like, and 

tr ouver, to find. 
CONTROL', s. Check ; restraint. F. controle ; from contre, against, 

and rolle, a list : meaning, a document capable of discovering the 

errors of an account. 
CONTROVERT', v. To dispute. L. controverto ; from contra, against, 

and verto, to turn, 
CONTUMACIOUS, adj. Haughty, disobedient, contemptuous. L. 

contumax. See CONTUMELY. 
CONTUMELY, s. Contempt; reproach. L. contumelia ; from con. 

tra, against, against, and tumeo, to swell. 

f* 65 



CON—COO 

CONTUSION, s. Bruise. L. contusio: con, together, and tusus, p, 

part, oftundo, to beat. 
CONVALES'CENT, adj. Recovering strength, L. convalescens, part. 

of convalesco, to grow strong : valeo, to be able. 
CONVENE, v. To assemble. L. convenio : con, together, and venio, 

to come. 
CONVE'NIENT. adj. Suitable; commodious. L. conveniens, part, of 

convenio : con, together, and venio, to come. 
CON'VENT. s. A monastery, or nunnery. L, conventus, p. part, of 

convenio. See CONVENE. 
CONVENTICLE, s. A little assembly; a small congregation of 

schismatics, or sectarians ; a secret assembly. L. conventiculum, 

dim. of convenes, a meeting. See CONVENE. 
CONVEN'TION. s. Act of convening ; an assembly; a contract. L. 

conventio. See CONVENE. 
CONVERGE', v. To tend towards one point. L. convergo : con, to- 
gether, and vergo, to incline. 
CONVER'SANT. adj. Acquainted with, in relation to things. F. 

conversant, part, of converser. See CONVERSE. By this species 

of conversation, things are personified. 
CONVERSE', v. To talk together. L. conversor ; from con, together, 

and verso, to turn often. 
CON'VERSE. s. A term in geometry and logic, signifying opposition. 

L. conversus, p. part, of converto. See CONVERT. 
CONVER'SION. s. The act of converting. L. conversio. See CON- 
VERT. 
CONVERT', v. To change ; to appropriate. L. converto : con, with, 

and verto, to turn. 
CONVEY', v. To carry ; to impart. L. conveho : con, with, and veho, 

to carry. 
CONVICT', v. To prove guilty. L. convictum, sup. of convinco, to 

vanquish, or convict. 
CONVICTION, s. Proof of guilt; act of convincing; state of being 

convinced. See CONVICT. 
CONVINCE', v. To overcome or satisfy by argument. L. convinco, 

to vanquish, or convince. 
CONVIVIAL, adj. Festal ; social ; cheerful. L. convivialis : con, 

together, and vivo, to live. 
CONVOCA'TION. s. Act of convoking ; an assembly summoned by 

authority. L. convocatio. See CONVOKE. 
CONVO'KE. v. To assemble by authority. L. convoco: con, together, 

and voco, to call. 
CONVOLU'TION. s. The act or state of rolling together. L. convo. 

lutio. See CONVOLVE. 
CONVOLVE', v. To roll one part upon another. L. convolvo : con, 

together, and volvo, to roll. 
CONVOY, s. A guard, when passing by land or sea ; things guarded. 

F. convoi : L. con, with, and F. voir, to see. 
CONVULSE', v. To shake violently into disorder. L. convulsus, p. 

part, of convello : con, together, and vello, to tug. 
COOK. s. One who dresses and prepares food for the table. L. co- 

quus ; from coquo, to boil. 

66 



COO— COR 

CO-OP'ERATE. v. To labour or act jointly. L. con, together, and 

operate. 
CO-OR'DINATE. adj. Having the same rank. L. con, together, and 

ordinatus, p. part, of nrdino, to range. 
CO'PIOUS. adj. Plentiful. L. copiosus ; from copia, plenty. 
COP'ULA. s. In logic, signifies the word which unites the subject and 

predicate of a proposition. L. copula ; from copulo, to couple. See 

COUPLE. 
COP'ULATIVE, adj. A term in grammar and logic. L. copulalivus. 

See COPULA. 
COP'Y. s. Exact resemblance. F. copie : L. copia, fulness ; because, 

a copy contains the whole matter or form of the original. 
COQUET', s. A female who assiduously endeavours to gain admirers. 

F. coquette ; from queter, to search. 
CO' RAM NON JUD'ICE. Before an improper tribunal. L. coram, 

before, non, not, judice, abl. of judex, a judge. 
CORDELI'ER. One of a celebrated order of monks, established in 

France, in the reign of Louis VIII.; so called from a cord which 

they wore around their waist. F. cordon, a string or cord. 
COR'DIAL. s. A stimulating or comforting medicine. F. cordial : 

L. cor, the heart. 
COR'DIAL. adj. Comforting ; sincere ; friendly. F. cordial : L. cor, 

the heart. 
CORDON', s. An extensive line of soldiers, to prevent communication 

between different places. F. cordon, a string. 
CORE. s. The inner part, generally of vegetables. F. cceur : L. cor, 

the heart. 
COR'NEA. s. The horny coat of the eye. L. cornea ; from cornv, a horn. 
COR'NEOUS. adj. Horny ; like horn. L. corneus : cornu, a horn. 
CORNI'GEROUS. adj. Having horns. L. corniger : cornu, a horn, 

and gero, to bear. 
CORNUCO'PIA. s. A heathenish fiction, referring to the horn said to 

have been broken off from Achelous, by Hercules. L. cornucopia : 

Cornu, a horn, and copia, abundance. 
CORNU'TED. adj. Horned. L. cornutus : cornu, a horn. 
COR'OLLARY. s. Conclusion ; surplus of a train of reasoning. L. 

corolla, a little crown : meaning, figuratively, that which crowns or 

finishes the whole. 
CORONA'TION. s. The act of crowning. L. corona, a crown. 
COR'ONER. s. An officer whose chief duty is to inquire, on the part 

of a sovereign, or state, how any violent or accidental death was 

caused. F. coronaire : L. corona, a crown. 
COR'ONET. s. The crown of a nobleman. L. corona, a crown ; 

through the Italian dim. coronetta. 
COR'PORAL. adj. Relating to the body. L. corporalis : corpus, a 

body, or any substance. 
CORPORA'TION. s. A chartered company ; persons embodied. L. 

corpus, a body. 
CORPO'REAL. adj. Havinp- a body ; not spiritual. L. corporeus. 

See CORPORAL. 
CORPS, s. A body of soldiers ; a professional body. (Pronounced 

core.) F. corps : L. corpus, a body. 

67 



COR— COS 

CORPS DIPLOMATIQUE. The diplomatic body. F. corps, a 

body, and diplomatique, diplomatic. 
CORPSE, s. A dead human body. L. corpus, a body. 
COR'PULENT. adj. Large in flesh. L. corpulentus ; from corpus, 

the body, and lentus, heavy. 
CORPUS'CLE. s. A particle of matter. L. corpusculum, a small 

body ; dim. of corpus, a body. 
CORRECT', adj. Revised or finished with correctness ; free from 

faults. L. correctus, p. part, of corrigo ; con, and rego, to rule. 
CORRELATIVE, adj. Having reciprocal relation. L. con, together, 

and relative. 
CORRESPOND', v. To communicate by alternate letters ; to fit. L. 

con, together, and respondeo, to answer. 
COR'RIDOR. s. A gallery or long aisle around a building. F. 
COR'RUGATE. v. To wrinkle; to draw or contract into folds. L. 

corrugo : con, with, and rugo, to wrinkle. 
COR'RIGIBLE. adj. Relating to that which can be amended. F. cor- 
rigible : L. corrigo, to set right ; con, and rego, to govern. 
CORROB'ORATE. v. To strengthen by additional evidence. L. cor. 

roboro ; from con, together, and roboro, to strengthen. 
CORRO'DE. v. To consume slowly. L. corrodo, to gnaw. 
CORRUPT', adj. Unsound ; infected ; depraved. L. corruptus, p. part. 

of corrumpo : con, together, and rumpo, to break. 
CORSAIR, s. A pirate. F. 
CORSE, s. A term, used by poets, to denote a dead human body. See 

CORPSE. 
CORSE'LET. s. A light armour for the fore part of the body. F. 

corselet ; from corps, a body : L. corpus. 
COR'SET. s. A pair of stays for a woman. F. corset; from corps, a 

body : L. corpus. 
CORTEGE, s. A train or retinue of attendants or followers. F. 
COR'TICATED. adj. Resembling the bark or rind of a tree. L. cor- 

ticatus ; from cortex, bark. 
CORUS'CANT. adj. Glittering. L. coruscans, part, of corusco, to 

glitter. 
COR YMBIF'E ROUS. adj. Producing corymbs ; bearing fruit, berries, 

or flowers, in clusters. L. coryinbifer ; corymbus, a cluster of ivy 

berries, and fero, to bear. 
COSMETIC, adj. Beautifying. F. cosmetique: G. kosmetikos ; from 

kosmeo, to adorn. 
COSMOG'ONY. s. The formation of the world. G. kosmos, the world, 

and gone, generation. 
COSMOGRAPHY, s. A description of the world or universe. G. 

kosmographia : kosmos, the world, and grapho, to write. 
COSMOLOGY, s. The science of the general system of the world. 

G. kosmos, the world, and logos, a word or description. 
COSMOPOLITAN, or COSMOP'OLITE. s. A citizen of the world. 

G. kosmos, the world, and polites, a citizen. 
COS'TAL. adj. Pertaining to the side of the body, or the ribs. F. 

costal ; from L. costa, a rib. 
COS'TUME. s. In painting, the different customs of times and places, 

with which a painter must conform, with regard to dress, &c. F, 

68 



COT— COU 

COTEM'PORARY. adj. Living or being at the same time. L. con, 

with, and tempus, time. 
COTER'MINOUS. adj. Terminating at the same point; ending at 

the same time ; having a common boundary. L. con, together, and 

terminus, a boundary or limit. 
COTILLON, or COTILLION, s. A species of dance. F. cotillon ; 

meaning, originally, a petticoat : that part of the dress being in the 

dance, occasionally extended by the hands. 
COUCH, s. A seat for repose ; a bed. F. couche, a bed. 
COUCH ANT. adj. Couching ; squatting. F. couchant, part, of coucher, 

to lie down. 
COULTER, s. The sharp iron of the plough which cuts the earth, 

L. cultus, p. part, of colo, to till. 
COUN'SELLOR. -s. An adviser. L. consiliarius. See CONSULT. 
COUNT, v. To number ; to reckon ; to impute or charge ; to depend 

on. L. computo. See COMPUTE. 
COUNT, s. One of a certain rank of nobility, on the continent of Eu- 
rope. In Latin, the counts are called comites, (a title first used in 

the German empire,) from being the king's attendants. L. comes, a 

companion. 
COUNTENANCE, s. Form of the face; patronage. F. contenance: 

L. con, together, and tenens, part, of teneo, to hold, or remain : mean- 
ing, that, all the features are contemplated in one view. 
COUNTER, adj. Contrary ; opposite. F. contre : L. contra, against. 
COUNTERACT', v. To labour against. See COUNTER and ACT. 
COUNTERFEIT, s. A deceitful imitation. F. contrefait, part, of 

contrefaire ; from contre, against, and faire, to make. 
COUNTERMAND', v. To repeal a command. F. contremander : L. 

contra, against, and mando, to give orders. 
COUNTERMARCH', v. To march back, over the same ground. See 

COUNTER and MARCH. 
COUNTERMI'NE. v. To perforate an enemy's mine ; to defeat one 

stratagem by another. See COUNTER and MINE. 
COUNTERMO'TION. s. Contrary motion. See COUNTER and 

MOTION. 
COUNTERPOISE, v. To counterbalance. See COUNTER and 

POISE. 
COUNTERSIGN, v. To sign additionally, as secretary or clerk. See 

COUNTER and SIGN. 
COUNTERTENOR, s. A term in music. See COUNTER and 

TENOR. 
COUNTERVAIL', v. To oppose with an equal degree of power. L. 

contra, ngainst, and valeo, to be able. 
COUNTERWORK', v. To counteract. See COUNTER and WORK. 
COUN'TY. s. That division of a country, formerly placed under the 

jurisdiction of a count, now called, in England, a sheriff. See 

COUNT. 
COUP BE GRACE. The stroke which terminated the sufferings 

of those who had been broken on the wheel. F. coup, a stroke, de, 

of, grace, favour, or mercy. 
COUP DE MAIN. A bold and sudden enterprise. F. coup, a blow 

or action, de, of, main, the hand. 

69 



COU— CRE 

COUP D'ESSAI. First experiment; first trial. F. 

COUP D03IL. The entire view, suddenly taken. F. coup, a stroke, 
de, of, ceil, the eye. 

COUPLE, s. A means of joining two things; two; a male and his 
female. F. couple : L. copula ; from copulo, to join : con, together, 
and pulsus, p. part, of pello, to drive. 

COUR'AGE. s. Bravery, of the highest kind ; active fortitude. F. 
courage : coeur, the heart : L. cor. 

COURIER, s. A messenger, sent express. F. courier : L. cvrro, to 
run. 

COURSE, s. Race ; progress ; way. F. course : L. cursus, a race ; 
from curro, to run. 

COURT, v. To flatter ; to endeavour to please by civilities and ad- 
dress ; a use of the word derived from the manners of a court; to 
woo; to solicit for marriage; to solicit. See COURTEOUS. 

COUR'TEOUS. adj. Having the refined manners of a court ; polite. 

F. courtois ; cour, a court. L. curia. 

COUSTN. s. Any one collaterally related, more remotely than a bro- 
ther or a sister. F. cousin : L. consanguineus : con, together, and 
sanguis, blood. See GERMAN. 

COVE. s. A recess ; a circular bay. F. cove, a pigeon-hole ; couver, 
to be hidden. 

COVENANT, s. A contract. F. convenant, part, of convenir, to 
agree : L. con, together, and venio, to come. 

COVERT, s. A shelter ; a hiding place. F. couvert, shelter : couver, 
to lurk. 

COVERT, adj. Sheltered ; having the legal privileges of a married 
woman. See the noun. 

COVERTURE, s. In law, the condition of a woman during her mar- 
riage. See FEME CO VER T. 

COVEY, s. A brood of partridges. F. couvee ; from couver, to brood 
or sit on. L. cubo. 

COVIN, s. A collusive or deceitful agreement between two or more, 
to defraud a third person. L. con, together, and venio, to come. 

CRANIOL'OGY. s. A discourse or treatise on the cranium or skull. 

G. kranion, the skull, and logos, discourse. 

CRANIO METER, s. An instrument for measuring the skulls of ani- 
mals. G. kranion, the skull, and metron, measure. 
CRAPE, s. A thin transparent stuff, gummed and twisted on the mill. 

F. crepe, and creper, to curl. 
CRATE, s. A pannier and wicker basket. L. crates, a bundle of rods 

wattled together. 
CRAY'ON. s. A kind of pencil, or roll of paste, to draw lines with. 

F. from craie, chalk. L. creta. 
CRA'Z Y. adj. Shattered ; mentally deranged. F. ecraze, part, of ecra- 

ser, to break into pieces. 
CREA'TE. v. To originate ; to make. L. creatus, p. part, of creo, to 

make. 
CREAT'URE. s. Thing created. See CREATE. 
CRE'DENCE. s. Belief. L. credens, part, of credo, to believe. 
CREDEN'DA. Things to be believed ; articles of religious faith. L. 

credenda ; to be believed : a part, of credo. 

70 



CRE— CRU 

CREDENTIAL, s. That which authorizes belief. See CREDENCE. 
CREDIBLE, adj. Worthy of belief. L. credibilis. See CREDENCE. 
CRED'IT. s. Belief; trust ; respectability ; allowance. F. credit : L. 

creditus, p. part, of credo, to believe. 
CREDITOR, s. One to whom another is indebted. L. creditor. See 

CREDIT. 
CREDU'LITY. s. Incautious belief. F. credulite. See CREDIT. 
CREED, s. Form of belief. L. credo, I believe; which is the first 

word in the apostles' creed. 
CREMA'TION. s. The act of burning. L. crematio : cremo, to burn. 
CREPITATION, s. The act of bursting- with a frequent repetition 

of sharp sounds ; crackling. L. crepito, to crackle ; crepo, to creak 

as a door. 
CREPUS'CLE. s. Twilight ; a little burst or break of light. L. ere- 

pusculum : crepo, to crack. 
CRES'CENT. s. A resemblance of the moon, when apparently in- 
creasing ; adj. increasing. L. crescens, part, of cresco, to increase. 
CRES'CIVE. adj. Increasing. L. cresco, to increase. 
CREST, s. A plume of feathers ; a term in heraldry ; curve of a 

horse's neck. L. crista, a tuft, or plume. 
CRETACEOUS, adj. Having the qualities of chalk. L. creta, chalk. 
CREVICE, s. A cleft; a fissure. F. crevasse: from L. crepo, to 

burst. 
CRIMTNAL. adj. Faulty ; chargeable with a crime. L. crimen, a 

crime. 
CRI'SIS. s. The height, or turn of a disease; critical time. L. crisis : 

G.krisis: Jcrino, to judge : because the symptoms have become more 

evident, and an opinion is the more easily formed. 
CRITE'RION. s. A mark ; a sign. G. Jcriterion ; from Jcrites, a judge. 
CRIT'IC. s. One who is fond of examining and observing. G. krilikos : 

krites, a judge ; krino, to judge. 
CRIT'IC AL. adj. In the manner of a critic; exact; nicely judicious. 

See CRITIC. 
CROSIER, s. A bishop's staff. F. crosier : L. crux, a cross. 
CRU'CIBLE. s. A chemist's melting-pot. Low L. crucibulum : G. 

chrusos, gold ; alluding to its use in melting this metal. 
CRU'CIFIX. s. A representation of Christ's death. L. crucifixus : 

crucis, gen. of crux, a cross, and Jixus, fastened. 
CRU'CIFORM. adj. Having the form of a cross. L. crusos, gen. of 

crux, a cross, and forma, shape. 
CRUDE, adj. Unfinished ; impure. L. crudus, raw. 
CRU'EL. adj. Barbarous ; delighting to hurt others; inhuman. L. 

crudelis ; from crudus, raw, rough, or untutored. 
CRUISE, s. A sea-adventure. F. croise : L. crux, a cross. The first 

cruisers displayed the cross, and plundered only infidels. 
CRU'R AL. adj. Belonging to the leg. F. crural : L. cruris, gen. of 

crus, a leg. 
CRUSADE, s. An expedition against infidels. F. croisade. See 

CRUISE. 
CRUST A'CEOUS. adj. Covered with a shell, in joints, — not with one 

continued, uninterrupted shell. A lobster is crustaceous ; an oyster, 

testaceous. L. crustatus : crusta t a crust. 

71 



CRY-CUR 

CRYPTO'GRAPHY. s. The science of writing secret characters; 

ciphers. G. krupto, to hide, and grapho, to write. 
CRYPTOL'OGY. s. Enigmatical language. G. krupto, to hide, and 

logos, a word. 
CRYSTAL, s. A hard, transparent, colourless body. F. crystal : L. 

cryslallus : G. krustallos, ice. 
CUBA'TION. s. The act of lying down. L. cubatio : cubatus, p. part. 

of cubo, to lie down. 
CUBE. s. A regular, solid body, having six square and equal sides, and 

all its angles right angles : hence, the arithmetical term, cube-root. 

L. cubus : G. kubos, a die, such as that used in gambling. 
CU'BIT. s. An ancient measure, equal to the length of a man's arm 

from the elbow to the extremity of the fingers ; about eighteen 

inches. L. cubitum ; from cubitus, an elbow. 
CUBOI'DAL. adj. Cubiform ; in the shape of a cube. G. kubos, a 

cube, and eidos, form. 
CUI BO'NO. What advantage will result? L. cui, to what, bono, 

good : (dat. of quis and bonus.) 
CUI MA'LO. What mischief will result? L. cui, to what, malo, evil: 

(dat. of quis and malus.) 
CUI'RASS. s. A breastplate. F. from cosur ; L. cor, the heart. 
CU'LINARY. adj. Relating to a kitchen. L. culina, a kitchen. 
CULL. v. To choose. F. cueillir, to gather. 

CULLIBILTTY. s. Credulity ; easiness of belief. F. cueillir, to ga- 
ther. 
CULMIFEREOUS. adj. Producing stalks. L. culmus, a stalk, and 

fero, to bear. 
CUL'MINATE. v. To be vertical; to be in the meridian. L. culmen t 

the top. 
CUL'PABLE. adj. Blamable; criminal. L. culpabilis : culpa, a fault. 
CUL'PRIT. s. One accused. L. culpa, a fault. 
CUL'TIVATE. s. To improve ; to till. F. cultiver : L. cultum, sup. 

of colo, to till. 
CUM'BROUS. adj. Burthensome ; oppressive. L. cumbo, to lie down. 
CUM MULTIS ALUS. With many other persons, or things. L. 

cum, with, multis, many, aliis, others : (abl. pi. of mult us and alius.) 
CUMULATIVE, adj. Heaping one thing upon another ; adding one 

things to another. L. cumulus, a heap. 
CU'NEAL. adj. Relating to a wedge. L. cuneus, a wedge. 
CU'NIFORM. adj. Having the shape or form of a wedge. L. cuneus, 

a wedge, and forma, form. 
CUPID'ITY. s. Unlawful desire. L. cupiditas : cupio, to desire. 
CU'PREOUS. adj. Partaking of copper. L. cupreus : cuprum, copper. 
CU'RATE. s. A clergyman paid to officiate for a superior. L. curator ; 

from cura, care. 
CURATOR, s. A superintendent. L. curator : cura, care. 
CURB. v. To restrain. F. courbir, to bend. 
CURE. v. To heal; to prepare for keeping. L. euro; from cura, 

care. 
CUR FEW. s. A signal made in England, by the Normans, at a cer- 
tain hour in the evening, when every housekeeper must extinguish 

his light. F. couvrez feu, cover the fire. 

72 



CUR— DAT 

CU'RIOUS. adj. Inquisitive; worthy of notice. L» curiosus ; from 
cur a, care, or concern. 

CUR RENT. adj. Passing from one to another ; circulating-. L. cur- 
rens, part, of cm/to, to run. 

CUK'RENT. s. A stream.— See the adjective. 

CUR'SORY. adj. Hasty; slight; superficial. L. cursorius : curso, to 
run backwards and forwards: freq. of curro, to run. 

CURTAIL', v. To cut short; to diminish in length; to lessen. F. 
courte, short, and tailler, to cut. 

CURVE, v. To bend. L. curvo, to bend. 

CURVET', v. To play, as a horse. L. curvo, to bend. 

CURVILIN'EAR. adj. Relating to a curved line. L. curvus, bent, 
and linen, a line. 

CUSTODY, s. Charge ; confinement. L. custodia ; from custos, a 
keeper. 

CUS'TOS-ROTULORUM. s. An officer who has the custody of the 
county-records. L. custos, a keeper, rotulorum, of the rolls [of 
written parchment or paper.] 

CUTA'NEOUS. adj. Relating or belonging to the skin. L. cutis, the 
skin. 

CU'TICLE. s. The outermost covering of the body ; that very tender 
skin which rises in a blister. L. cuticula, dim. of cutis, the skin. 

CUT'LER. s. One who makes, repairs, or sells knives. F. coutelier : 
L. culler, a knife. 

CY'CLE. s. A circle; a revolution of time. G. kuklos, a circle. 

CY'CLOID. s. A species of geometrical curve. G. kukloeides : kuklos, 
a circle, and eidos, a shape. 

CYCLOPtE DIA. s. A book which treats of all the sciences. G. kuklos, 
a circle, and paideia, instruction. 

CY'CLOPS. s. A fabled race of men, of gigantic stature, who inha- 
bited the western part of Sicily, and were said to have only one eye, 
in the middle of the forehead. L. Cyclopes: G. kuklops : comp. of 
kuklos, a circle, and ops, an eye. 

CYGNET, s. A young swan. L. cycnus, or cygnus, a swan. 

CYLINDER, s. A body having two flat surfaces, and one circular. 
L. cylindrus: G. kulindreo, to roll. 

CYL'INDROIDE. s. That which in form resembles a cylinder : comp. 
of CYLINDER, and G. oidos, form. 

CYM'BAL. s. A species of musical instrument. L. cymbalum ; from 
cymha, a cup. G. kumbos, a cavity. 

CYNTC. s. A follower of Diogenes; a disagreeable, snarling fellow. 
L. cynicus : G. kunikos ; from kuon, a dog. 

CY'NOSURE. s. The constellation near the north pole, consisting of 
seven stars. As seamen are accustomed to steer by this constella- 
tion, it is sometimes figuratively used for that which directs or at- 
tracts attention. Gr. kunosoura, the tail of the dog; ursa minor, the 
little bear. 

D. 

DAC'TYLE. s. A poetical foot, consisting of one long, and two short 
syllables ; as numine. L. dactylus : G. daktulos, a finger : alluding 
to the joints of a finger. 

o > 73 



DAM— DEC 

DAM'AGE. s. Injury, which lessens the value ; hurt. F. dommaget 
L. damnum, loss. 

DAM' ASK. s. A species of figured silk stuff, originally from Damas- 
cus ; a kind of wrought- linen, in imitation of the damask silks; red 
colours from the damask rose. 

DAME. s. Literally, a mistress; hence, a lady ; a title of honour to a 
woman. It is now applied generally to the mistress of a family, in 
the common ranks of life. F. dame; L. domina, a mistress. 

DAMN. v. To condemn; to curse. L. damino, to condemn : from 
damnum, injury. 

DAM'SEL. s. A young gentlewoman; a country lass. F. damoiselle, 
or demoiselle, dim. of dame, a lady. 

DAMSON, s. A species of small plum. Contracted from damascene, 
the Damascus plum. 

DATA. Things given, or premises, as grounds of argument. — Sing, 
DA TUM. L. datus, p. part, of do, to give. 

DATE. s. Period of time when an action is performed, or when an 
event happened. L. datus, p. part, of do, to give, or make. 

DA'TIVE. adj. A case in grammar, denoting to whom given. L. da- 
trims: datus, p. part, of do, to give. 

DAUNT, v. To intimidate. F. dumpier: L. domito, to tame. 

DEA'CON. s. A person in the lowest degree of holy orders. L. dia- 
conus ; G. konos: dia, through, and koneo, to serve. 

DEAN. s. One of a certain order in the episcopal church ; the second 
dignitary of a diocese; an officer of a certain rank in a university. 
F. doyen: L. decanus : from the G. deka, ten ; because, a dean was 
originally pl.ced over ten prebendaries. 

DEBAR', v. To prevent. F. de, from, and barre, a bolt or bar. 

DEBARK', v. To come on shore. F. debarquer: de, from, and barque, 
a boat. 

DEBA'SE. v To degrade; to adulterate. See BASE. 

DEBA'TE. v. To dispute; to deliberate. F. debatre : L. de, concern- 
ing, and batuo, to combat. 

DEBENTURE, s. Written evidence of a debt, signed on account of a 
state or public company. F. debenture: L. debeo, to owe. 

DEBILTTY. s. Weakness: feebleness. L. debilitas : de, from, and 
habilitas, ability. See ABILITY. 

DEB IT. s. In mercantile language, signifies the debtor side of an ac- 
count, or an item placed at the debtor side. L. debitus, p. part, of 
debeo, to owe. 

DEBOUCH', v. To issue or march out of a narrow place, or from de- 
files, as troops. F. deboucher : de, from, and bouche, a mouth. 

DEBT. s. Something due. L. debitum ; from debeo, to owe. 

DECADE, s. The sum often. F. decade : G. deka, ten. 

DECA'DENCE. s. Decline; fall. F. decadence: L. de, from, and ca- 
dens, part, of cado, to fall. 

DECAGON, s. A plain figure having ten sides and ten angles. G. 
deka, ten, and gonia, a corner. 

DECALOGUE, s. The Ten Commandments. G. dekalogos : deka, 
ten, and logos, a word. 

DECAL'VATE. v. To make bald. L. calms, bald. 

74 



DEC— DEC 

DECAMP', v. To go from the site of a camp ; to depart. F. decamper : 

de, from, and camp, a camp. 
DECANT', v. To pour off gently, by inclination. L. decanto ; de, 

from, and canto, to sing, or repeat often the same thing. 
DECAPTTATE. v. To behead. L. decapito : de, from, and caput, 

the head. 
DECAY', v. Tft become infirm ; to rot. F. dechoir : L. decado : de- 

from, and cado, to fall. 
DECEASE', s. Death. L. decessus : decedo, to depart : de, from, and 

cedo, to go. 
DEC E' DENT. s. In law, one who has died. L. decedens, part, of de. 

cedo, to depart. 
DECEIT', s. Fraud ; artifice. L. deceptio : from deceptus, p. part, of 

decipio: de, from, and capio, to take. 
DECEIVE', v. To use deceit. L. decipio. See DECEIT. 
DECEMBER, s. The twelfth month ; but, formerly, the tenth, when 

the year began in March. L. December ; from decern, ten. 
DECEM'VIRATE. s. The office of the ten governors of Rome. L. 

decemviratits : decern, ten, and viri, men. 
DECEN'NARY. s. A civil division, comprising, by a law of Alfred, 

ten freeholders and their families. L. decern, ten. 
DE'CENT. adj. Becoming ; modest. L. decens, part, of deceo, to be- 

come. 
DECEP'TION. s. The act of deceiving. This word conveys a less 

immoral meaning than deceit ; though it is derived from the same 

word. L. deceptio. See DECEIT. 
DECERPT', adj. Cropped. L. decerptus, p. part, of decerpo : de, from, 

and carpo, to pluck. 
DECES'SION. s. A departure ; act of going away. L. decessio : de. 

cessus, p. part, of decedo : de, from, and cedo, to depart. 
DECI'DE. v. To conclude ; to determine. L. decido : de, from, and 

cado, to cut. 
DECIDUOUS, adj. Losing the foliage at the end of a season. L. 

deciduus : decido : de, from, and cado, to fall. 
DE'CIMAL. adj. Numbered by ten. L. decimus, the tenth : decern, 

ten. 
DE'CIMATE. v. To take the tenth part. L. decimo : decern, ten. 
DECISIVE, adj. Conclusive ; determined. F.decisif. See DECIDE. 
DECLAIM', v. To harangue; to speak to the passions. L. declamo : 

de, concerning, and oh mo, to call out. 
DECLA'RE. v. To publish ; to assert. L. declaro ; from de, concern- 
ing, and claro, to brighten. 
DECLEN'SION. s. Act of declining ; declination; decay; inflexion 

of nouns. L. declinatio. See DECLINE. 
DECLINE, v. To bend from; to refuse; to decay. L. declino : de, 

from, and clino, to brmd. 
DECLIVITY, s. Inclination, reckoned downwards. L. declivitas : 

de, from, and clious, a slnp>'. 
DECOCTION, s. Act of boiling any thing; an extract by boiling. 

F. decoction: L. decoctum : decoquo : de, from, and coqno, to boil. 
DECOL'LATE. v. To cut through the neck. L. decoUo : de, from, 

and collum, the neck. 

75 



DEC— DEF 

DECOMPOSE, v. To separate ; to disturb. L. de, from, and compose. 
DECORATE, v. To adorn. L. decoro: decor, beauty. 
DECOROUS, adj. Decent ; proper. L. decorus. See DECORUM. 
DECO'RUM. s. Decency; propriety. L. decorum : decor, decency. 
DECREA'SE. v. To diminish. L. decresco : de, signifying from, or 

deprivation, and cresco, to grow. 
DECREE', v. To enact; to resolve. L. decretum, sup. of decerno : 

rfapcortcefning, and cerno, to see, or judge. 
DECREMENT, s. Decrease ; the quantity lost by decreasing. L. 

decrementum ; from descresco. See DECREASE. 
DECREP'IT. adj. Infirm. L. decrepitus ; from de, and crepo, to 

creak, or jingle. 
DECRE'TAL. adj. Relating to a decree. F. decretal. See DECREE. 
DECUPLE, adj. Tenfold. L. decuplus : G. deka, ten. 
DEDECORATE. v. To strip of ornament; to disgrace. L. dedecoro : 

de, from, and decorus, gen. of decus, honour. 
DEDICATE, v. To assign or devote to a patron ; to appropriate. L. 

dedico : de, from, and dico, to appoint. 
DEDU'CE. v. To draw, in a connected series ; to infer. L. deduco : 

de, from, and duco, to draw, or bring. 
DEDUCT, v. To subtract. L. deductum, sup. of deduco : de, from, 

and duco, to draw. 
DEED. s. Written evidence of a grant, or of any legal act; action; 

exploit; reality. L. dedi, I have given : perfect tense of do, to give. 
DEFA'CE. v. To disfigure ; to erase. L. de, from, and face. 
BE FACTO. From the fact. L. de, from, facto, abl. of factum, a. 

thing done. See DE JURE. 
DEFAL'CATE. v. To cut off; to take away or deduct a part ; used 

chiefly of money, accounts, rents, &c. L. defalco : de, from, and 

falx, a sickle. 
DEFAME, v. To injure in character. L. de, from, and fame. 
DEFEA'SANCE. s. Act of annulling a contract ; the written instru- 
ment, in which the defeasance is contained. F. See DEFEASIBLE. 
DEFEA'SIBLE. adj. Subject to be annulled or abrogated. F. defaire, 

to undo. L. de, from, and facio, to make. 
DEFEAT, s. Overthrow. F. defaite : defait, part, of defaire, to undo: 

L. de, from, and facio, to make. 
DEFECATE, v. To purge from lees or foulness ; to purify. L. de- 

fceco : de, from, and fcscis, gen. of fax, dregs. 
DEFECT', s. Absence of something necessary ; imperfection. L. de. 
■ feclus, p. part, of dejicio : de, from, and facio, to make. 
DEFECTION, s. Desertion ; revolt. L. defectio. See DEFECT. 
DEFEND', v. To protect; to vindicate. L. defendo : de, from, and 

fendo, to guard. 
DEFER', v. To put off; to delay. L. differ o : de, from, and fero, to 

carry. 
DEF'ERENCE. s. Respect. F. deference : L. de, from, and fero, to 

carry, or incline : that is, to withdraw to a respectful distance. 
DEFICIENT, adj. Defective; incomplete. L. deficiens. See DE- 

FECT. 
DEFI'NE. v. To describe precisely ; to explain. L. definio ; from de % 

concerning, zndjinis, a boundary, 

76 



DEF— DEL 

DEFINITE, adj. Limited ; certain. L. definitus. See DEFINE. 
DEFINI'TION. s. Act of defining; precise description ; explanation. 

L. dejinilio. See DEFINE. 
DEFLECTION, or DEFLEXION, s. Deviation. L. defiexus, p. 

part, ofdejieclo: de, from, and Jlecto, to bend. 
DEFLUOUS. adj. Flowing downwards. L. defluus : de, from, and 

fluo, to flow. 
DEFLUXTON. s. In medical language, the flow of humours down- 

wards. L. dejiuxio : dejluxus, part, of defiuo : de, from, and Jiao, 

to flow. 
DEFRAUD', v. To cheat. L. defraudo: fraus, (gen. fraudis) deceit. 
DEGEN ERATE. v. To become inferior to a progenitor. L. degerte- 

ro : de, from, and genus, a race; that is, to tall from its own kind. 
DEGLUTl'TION. s. The act of swallowing. L.deglutio: de, from, 

and glulio, to swallow. 
DEGRA'DE. v. To lower in rank ; to disgrace. F. degrader: L. de, 

from, Hnd gradus, a step, or degree. 
DEGREE', s. Relative situation ; rank, measure. F. degre : L. de, 

from, and gradus, a step. 
DEHIS'CEN'T. adj. Opening, as the capsule of a plant. L. dehiscens, 

pnrt. oCdehhco : de, from, and hisco, to g.ipe. 
DEHORTA'TION. s. Dis>uasion. L. de, from, and hortor, to advise. 
DETFY. v. To invest with the title of a god; to adore as a god. F. 

deifier : L. deus, a god, and jio, to be made. 
DEIGN, v. To think worthy ; to vouchsafe. F. daigner. L. dignor : 

dignus, worthy. 
DEIN TEGRATE. v. To take from the whole ; to spoil. L. de, from, 

and integer, a whole. 
DETST. s. One who believes in God, but denies revelation. F. dmsle ; 

from the L. deus, God. 
DETTY. s. God; also a heathen god. F. deite ; L. deus, God, or a 

god. G. Theos. 
DEJECT', v. To depress in spirits. L. dejectum, sup. of dejicio: de, 

from, and jacio, to throw. 
DE JURE. From the law; by law. L. de, from, jure, abl. of jus, 

right, or law. A king is said to be such de facto, when in possession 

of the throne, however obtained; and dejure, when he has the heie- 

ditary right. See DE FA C TO. 
DELACTA'TION. s. Act of weaning from the breast. L. de, from, 

and lac, milk. 
DELAY', v. To prolong the time of acling or proceeding ; to put off; 

to retard ; to detain. F. delai, to delay : L. dilatus, p. part, of dif- 

fero, to scatter abroad, to put off. 
DELECTABLE, adj. Delightful. L. delectnbilis : delecio, to allure. 
DEL'EGATE. v. To depute for a special purpose. L. dtlego : de, 

from, and lego, (legare,) to intrust. 
DELE'TION. s. Act of blotting out. L. deletus, p. part, of deleo, to 

blot out. 
DELETERIOUS, adj. Destructive ; poisonous. L. deleterius : deleo, 

to blot out, or destroy. 
DELIB'ERATE. v. To weigh in the mind; to hesitate. L. ddibero; 

de, concerning, and libra, a balance, 

o» 7? 



BEL— DEM 

DEL'IBLE. adj. Capable of being destroyed, or effaced. L. deleo, to 

blot out. 
DELICATE, adj. Pleasing; soft; weak. F. deiicat : L. delicatus : 

delicia, delights. See DELIGHT. 
DELICIOUS, adj. Sweet ; pleasant. F. delicieux. See DELICATE. 
DELIGHT', v. To please highly. L. delecto : de, from, and lacto, to 

allure. 
DELIN'EATE. v. To draw the lines of any thing ; to describe. L. 

delineo ; from de, concerning, and linea, a line. 
DELINQUENT, s. One who commits a breach of trust. L. delin- 

quens, part, of delinquo, to omit: linquo, to forsake. 
DELIQUESCE', v. To become fluid. L. deliquesco: deliqueo, to melt. 
DELIRIUM, s. An alienation of mind, connected with fever. L. 

from deliro, to rave. 
DELIVER, v. To release ; to relate ; to assign. F. delivrer : L. de, 

from, and libero, to free. 
DEL'PHINE. adj. Pertaining to the dolphin. L. delphinus, a dol- 
phin ; pertaining to the dauphin of France, as the delphine edition 

of the classics. 
DEL'TA. s. A portion of land in the form of a triangle ; so called, 

from its resemblance to the G. letter, delta, a. 
DEL'TOID. s. A term applied to a triangular muscle, for raising the 

arm; delta, (A) a letter of the Greek alphabet, and eidos, shape. 
DELUDE, v. To beguile. L. deludo ; from de, concerning, and ludo, 

to play, or mock. 
DELUGE, s. An immense, overwhelming flood. L. diluvium : diluo, 

to wash away. 
DEM'AGOGUE. s. A leader of the rabble. G. demagogos ; from de- 
mos, the people, and agogos, a leader. 
DEMAND', v. To claim; to ask. F. demand er : L. de, from, and 

mando, to order. 
DEMEAN', v. To behave ; to conduct. F. demener, to lead. 
DEMEN'TATE. v. To render insane. L. demento: de, from, and 

mens, mind. 
DEMERIT, s. The opposite to merit. L. de, from, and merit. 
DEMESNE', s. That part of an estate which is occupied by the lord 

himself. Old F. : from the L. dominus, a lord. 
DEM'IGOD. s. Haifa god ; a fabulous hero, produced by the cohabi- 
tation of a deity with a mortal. F. demi, from the L. dimidium, 

signifying half, and god. 
DEMI'SE. s. In law, a species of conveyance. The king of England's 

death, is, in law, termed the demise of the king, to his successor, of 

his crown and dignity, &c. F. dtmis, removed : L. demissus, p. 

part, of demitto : de, from, and mitto, to send away. 
DEMOCRACY, s. Government by the people. G. demokratia ; from 

demos, the people, and krateo, to govern. 
DEMOLTSH. v. To throw down ; to destroy. L. demolior : de, from, 

and ?noles, a heap. 
DE'MON. s. A spirit, either good or bad; a devil. G. daimon, a 

spirit : daio, to know. 
DEMONSTRATE, v. To prove with the highest degree of certainty. 

L. demonstro : de, concerning, and monstro, to show. 

78 



DEM— DEO 

DEMOR'ALIZE. v. To destroy or corrupt the morals. L. de, from, 

and moral. 
DEMUL'CENT. adj. Softening; mollifying-; lenient. L. de mule ens, 

pirt. of detnulceo : de, and mulceo, to stroke or soften. 
DEMUR', v. To delay a process in law, by some technical objection, 

F. demeurer ; L. demoror, to stop. 
DEMU'RE. adj. Grave; of studied gravity. F. de, of, and moeurs, 

manners, or behaviour. 
DEMUR'RAGE. s. Allowance, by a merchant, for the detention of a 

ship beyond the time appointed. See DEMUR. 
DENDRITE, s. A stone or mineral, on or in which are the figures 

of trees or shrubs. G. dendrites : dendron, a tree. 
DEN'DROLITE. s. A petrified or fossil shrub, or plant. G. dendron, 

a tree, and lithos, a stone. 
DENDROL'OGY. s. Natural history of trees. G. dendron, a tree, 

and logos, a discourse. 
DENTZEN. s. A stranger admitted to residence and certain rights in 

a foreign country. F. de-mi, half, and citizen. 
DENOMINATE, v. To distinguish by a name. L. denomino : de, 

from, and nomino, to name : nomen, a name. 
DENOTE, v. To signify. L. denoto : de, concerning, and noto, to 

mark. See NOTE. 
DENOUEMENT, s. The clearing up of a plot. F. denouement; 

from denouer, to untie. 
DENOUNCE', v. To threaten, or accuse, publicly. L. denuncio ; 

comp. of de, concerning, and muntio, to acquaint. 
DE NO' VO. Afresh ; over again. L. de, from, and novo, abl. of no- 

vus, new. 
DENSE, adj. Set closely together ; compact. L. densus ; probably 

from dens, a tooth, or denies, teeth : alluding to the close arrange- 
ment of the teeth. 
DENT. s. A gap or notch, or rather a depression or small hollow in 

a solid body, caused by a stroke or pressure. F. dent : L. dens, a 

tooth. 
DEN'TAL. adj. Relating to the teeth. L. dentis, gen. of dens, a 

tooth. 
DEN'TATED. adj. Having teeth, or the resemblance of teeth. L. 

dentafus. See DENTAL. 
DENTIFORM, adj. Having the form of a tooth. L. dentis, gen. of 

dens, a tooth, and forma, shape. 
DENTIFRICE, s. Tooth powder. L. dens, a tooth, and frico, to rub. 
DENTIST, s. A tooth-surgeon. See DENTAL. 
DENTI'TION. s. The breeding or cutting of teeth, in infancy. L. 

dentilio : dens, a tooth. 
DENU'DATE. iv. To make naked; to strip. L. denudo: de, from, 
DENUDE. ( and nudo, to make naked. 
DENUNCIATION, s. Act of denouncing. L. denunciatio. See 

DENOUNCE. 
DENY', v. Not to grant; to refuse; to contradict an accusation; to 

disown. F. denier : L. denego : de, concerning, and nego, to deny : 

ne, not, and ago, to act. 
DE'ODAND. s. In England, a personal chattel which is the imme- 

79 



D£P— BEH. 

diate instrument of the death of a rational creature, and for that 

reason, given to God, that is, forfeited to the king, to be applied to 

pious uses. Thus, if a cart runs over a man, and kills him, the 

cart is forfeited, as a deodand. L. Deo, to God, and dandus, given. 

DEPART', v. To go away. F. departir : L, de, from, and partio, to 

divide. 
DEPEND', v. To hang ; to be connected ; to rely. L. dependeo : de, 

from, and pendeo, to hang. 
DEPICT', v. To paint, to describe. L. depictum, sup. of depingo ; de, 

from, and pingo, to paint. 
DEPILATION. s. Act of stripping off the hair. L. de, from, and 

pilus, a hair. 
DEPLE'TION. s. The act of emptying. L. depletus, p. part, of de. 

pleo, to empty. 
DEPLO'RE. v. To lament. F. deploro ; from de, concerning, and 

ploro, to bewail. 
DEPLOY', v. A military term, signifying to display, or spread out. 

F. deployer : L. dis, asunder, and plico, to fold. 
DEPLU'ME. v. To strip of its feathers. L. de, from, and pluma, a 

feather, 
DEPO'NENT. s. One who deposes. L. deponens, part, of depono : 

de, concerning, and port o, to place or allege. 
DEPOPULATE, v. To unpeople. L. depopulor : de, from, and po- 

pulus, people. 
DEPORT, v. To transport; to carry off. L. deporto: de, from, and 

porto, to carry. 
DEPORT' M EN T. s. Behaviour. F. deportement : L. porto, to 

carry, 
DEPO'SE. v. To remove, as a monarch from his throne; to attest. 

L. depositum, sup. of depono : de, from, and pono, to place ; or de, 

concerning, and pono, to allege, 
DEPOSTT. v. To lay down; to lay up; to leave for security, or as a 

pledge. L. depositum, sup. of depono : de, from, and pono, to place. 
DE'POT. s. A public storehouse. F. depot. See DEPOSIT. 
DEPRA'VE. v. To corrupt. L. depravo : pravus, crooked, or knavish. 
DEPRECATE, v. To pray against. L. deprecor : de, from, and pre. 

cor, to pray. 
DEPRE'CIATE, v. To undervalue ; to lower in price. L. depretio ; 

comp. of de, from, and pretio, [its usual] price. 
DEPREDA'TION. s. Act of plundering. L. depradatio : de, from, 

and praedor, to rob. 
DEPRESS', v. To press down ; to deject. L. depressum, sup. of de. 

primo : de, from, and premo, to press. 
DEPRI'VE. v. To bereave ; to prevent from enjoying. L. de, from, 

and privo, to take away. 
DEPUL'SION. s. Act of driving or thrusting away. L. depulsio : 

from depulsus, p. part, of depello : de, from, and pello, to drive. 
DEPUTE, v. To send with a special commission ; to empower one to 

act instead of another. L. deputo : de, from, and pulo, to lop. 
DEP'UTY. s. One deputed; one acting in place of another. F. de- 

putt : L. deputatus, p. part, of deputo. See DEPUTE. 
DERANGE', v. To put out of its accustomed rank or place ; to dis. 

80 



DER— DES 

order ; to render insane. F. deranger : de, from, and rang, a row 

or place. 
DERELICTION, s. Desertion. L. dereliclio : de, from, and relictus, 

p. part, of relinquo, to leave behind : re, back, and linquo, to leave. 
DERIDE, v. To mock or scorn. L. derideo ; from de, concerning, 

and video, to laugh. 
DERISION, s. Mockery; scorn. L. derisio ; from derisus, p. part. 

of derideo. See DERIDE. 
DERIVE, v. Originally meant to turn the course of water from its 

natural channel ; but it now means to deduce, or receive by trans- 

mission. L. derivo : de, from, and rivus, a river. 
DER'NIERERESSORT. Last resource. F. dernier, the last, and 

essort, a spring or wheel. 
DER'OGATE. v. To detract. L. derogo : de, from, and rogo, to de. 

sire, or borrow. 
DESCANT', v. To discourse at large. L. dis, separately, and canto, 

to repeat often. 
DESCEND', v. To go downwards ; to sink ; to fall, in order of inherit- 
ance, to a successor. L. descendo : de, from, and scando, to climb. 
DESCEN'SION. s. The act of descending. L. descensio. See DE- 
SCEND. 
DESCRI'BE. v. To delineate. L. describo : de, concerning, and scribo, 

to write. 
DESCRIP'TION. s. Act of describing; definition; peculiar quality. 

L. descriplio. See DESCRIBE. 
DESECRATE, v. To divert from the purpose to which any thing was 

originally consecrated. L. de, from, and sacro, to consecrate. 
DESERT', v. To forsake. L. desertum, sup. of desero: de, from, and 

sero, to sow ; meaning to leave as a place unsown. 
DESERT, s. A wilderness. L. desertus, forsaken. See the verb. 
DESERT'. s. That which is deserved ; merit. L. deservitus, part, of 

deservio. See DESERVE. 
DESERVE', v. To merit. L. deservio : de, for, and servio, to serve. 
DESICCATE, v. To dry. L. desicco, to dry. 
DESIDERA'TUM. s. Something which inquiry has not yet been able 

to ascertain or discover ; something desired, (pi. desiderata.) L. de- 

sideratus, p. part, of desidero, to desire. 
DESIGN', v. To intend, or invent. L. designo : de, out of, and signo, 

to mark. 
DESIGNATE, v. To point out, by some particular mark ; to name. 

L. designation, sup. of designo. See DESIGN. 
DESI'RE. v. To long for ; to wish ; to ask ; to entreat. F. desirer : 

L. desidero, freq. of desido : de, concerning, and sedeo, to sit, remain, 

or continue. 
DESIST', v. To cease. L. desisio: de, from, and sisto, to stop. 
DESOLATE, v. To depopulate ; to lay waste. L. desolo ; from de, 

and solus, alone. 
DESPAIR, v. To be without hope. L. despero : de, signifying de- 
privation, and spero, to hope. 
DESPERATE, adj. Without hops; without care of safety; rash; 

irretrievable. L. desperatus. See DESPAIR. 
DES'PICABLE. adj. Contemptible. L. despicabilis. See DESPISE. 

81 



DES—DET 

DESPI'SE. v. To contemn ; to disrespect. Old F. despiser : L. des. 

picio : de, from, and specio, to look. 
DESPOIL', v. To strip; to plunder. L. dtspolio: de, from, and spolio, 

to plunder. 
DESPOND', v. To despair. L. despondeo : de, signifying privation, 

and spondeo, to promise. 
DES'POT. s. An absolute monarch ; a tyrant. G. despotes, a ruler : 

deo, to bind, and podes, pi. of pous, a foot. 
DES'TINE. v. To doom ; to design. L. destino, to bind fast together, 

fix, or appoint. 
DESTITUTE, adj. In want; friendless. L. destitutus, p. part, of 

destituo ; from de, without, and statuo, to place. 
DESTROY', v. To lay waste ; to consume. L. destruo : de, from, and 

struo, to build. 
DESTRUCTIVE, adj. Causing destruction. L. destructivus ; from 

destructus, p. part, of dcstrvo. See DESTROY. 
DESUDA'TION. s. A profuse and inordinate sweating. L. de, from, 

and sudor, sweat. 
DES'UETUDE. s. Cessation to be accustomed ; discontinuance of 

practice or habit. L. desuetudo : de, from, and suetus, p. part, of 

suesco, to use or accustom. 
DES'ULTORY. adj. Roving from place to place ; inconstant ; imme- 

thodical. L. desultorius : desultum, sup. of desilio : de, from, and 

salio, to leap. 
DETACH', v. To separate ; to send away. F. detacher : L. de, from, 

and tactum, sup. of tango, to touch. 
DETAIL', v. To relate minutely ; to detach. F. detailler ; de, from, 

and tailler, to cut. 
DETAIN', v. To restrain from departure; to hold. L. detineo : de f 

from, and teneo, to hold. 
DETECT, v. To discover. L. defectum, sup. of delego, to uncover. 
DETENTION, s. The act of detaining. L. detentio. See DETAIN. 
DETER', v. To intimidate. L. deterreo : de, from, and terreo, to 

affright. 
DETER'GENT. adj. Cleansing. L. detergens, part, of detergo ; de, 

from, and tergo, to wipe. 
DETE'RIORATE. v. To make worse ; to degenerate ; to grow worse. 

F. deteriorer : L. de, from, and tero, to rub or wear. 
DETER'MINE. v. To conclude ; to resolve. L. determino ; de, con- 

cerning, and termino, to bound, or finish. 
DETER SIVE. adj. Cleansing. F. detersif. See DETERGENT. 
DETEST', v. To abhor. L. detestor ; de, from, or against, and leslor % 

to attest, or bear witness. 
DETHRONE, v. To deprive of regal power. L. de, from, and 

throne. 
DETONATE, v. To make a loud noise, by explosion. L. detono ; 

comp. of de, from, and tono, to thunder. 
DETORT. To twist; to pervert; to wrest from the original meaning 

or design. L. detortum, sup. of detorqueo ; de, from, and torqueo, to 

twist. 
DETOUR', s. An excursion ; a military term, denoting a turning off 

from the direct road. F. detour ; de, from, and tour, a journey. 

82 



DET— DIA 

DETRACT', v. To take away ; to derogate. L. detractum, sup. of 

detraho ; de, from, and traho, to draw. 
DETRIMENT, s. Loss; damage. L. detrimentum ; from detero, to 

bruise or beat out ; de, from, and tero, to rub. 
DETRI'TION. s. The act of wearing away. L. detritus, popart, of 

detero ; de, from, and tero, to rub. 
DETRU'DE. v. To thrust out; to thrust down. L. detrudo ; de, from, 

and trudo, to thrust. 
DETRUNCATE, v. To lop off. L. detrunco ; de, from, and trunco, 

to cut. 
DETRU'SION. s. The act of detruding. L. detrusio ; from detrusus, 

p. p.rt. of detrudo. See DETRUDE. 
DEUCE, s. Two. F. dews; L. rf«o, two. 
DEUTERONOMY, s. The second book or repetition of the law; fifth 

book of Moses. G. duteros, the second, and nomos, a law. 
DEVASTATE, v. To lay waste. L. devasto ; vastus, waste. 
DEVEL'OP. v. To uncover; to make known; to explain. F. devel- 

opper : L. de, from, and velum, a veil. 
DEVEST, or DIVEST', v. To strip; (with of) F. devester : L. de, 

from, and vestis, a garment. 
DEVEXTTY. s. Incurvation downwards ; declivity. L. devexitas : 

de, from, and vectus, p % part. of veho, to carry. 
DEVIATE, v. To go out of the usual way ; to err. L. de, from, and 

via, a way. 
DEVIOUS, adj. Out of the usual track; erring. L. devius. See 

DEVIATE. 
DEVISE, v. To contrive ; to consider; to grant by will. F. deviser : 

L. de, from or concerning, and video, to see. 
DEVOCA'TION. s. A calling away ; a seduction. L. de, from, and 

voco, to call. 
DEVOI'R. s. Primarily, service or duty. Hence, an act of servility 

or respect ; respectful notice due to another, as we paid our devoirs 

to the queen, or to the ladies. F. devoir, duty. 
DEVOLU'TION. s. Act of devolving. L. devolutio : devolutus, p. part. 

of devolvo. See DEVOLVE. 
DEVOLVE', v. To roll from ; to pass from. L. devolvo ; de, from, 

and volvo, to roll. 
DEVO'TE. v. To dedicate ; to appropriate ; to consign. L. devotum, 

sup. of devoveo, to vow. 
DEVOUR', v. To eat ravenously. L. devoro, to devour. 
DEVOUT, adj. Pious; devoted to holy duties. L. devotus. See 

DEVOTE. 
DEX'TEROUS. adj. Expert. L. dexter ; from dextra, the right hand. 
DEX'TRAL. adj. Relating to the right. L. dextra^ the right hand. 
DIABE'TES. s. A morbid copiousness of urine. G. diabaites ; dia, 

through, and baino, to go. 
DIABOLICAL, adj. Atrocious. L. diabolicus : G. diabolos ; dia, 

across, and ballo, to throw. 
DIACH'YLUM. s. A medical preparation, composed of the juices of 

certain plants. G. dia, through, and chulon, juice. 
DIACOUS'TICS. s. The science or doctrine of refracted sounds ; called 

also diaphonics. G. dia, and akono, to hear. 

83 



DIA— DIC 

DIADEM, s. A royal crown. L. diadema ; G. diadema ; dia, around, 

and deo, to bind. 
DJiE'RESIS. s. The disjunction of syllables; (••) as, in cooperate ; G. 

diairesis ; from dia, through, and aireo, to cut. 
DIAGONAL, adj. Reaching from one corner or angle to another, so 

as to divide a parallelogram into two equal parts. G. diagonios ; dia, 

through, and gonia, a corner. 
DIAGRAM, s. Delineation of a geometrical figure. G. dia gramma ; 

dia, through, and gramma, a letter, or thing written. 
DIAGNOSTIC, adj. Distinguishing; characteristic; indicating the 

nature of a disease. G. diagnostikos : dia, through, and ginosko, to 

know. 
DI'AL. s. A plate marked with the hours. L. dies, a day. 
DI'ALECT. s. The subdivision of a language, as the Attic or Doric 

forms of the Greek ; a mode of speech which a people have chosen 

or adopted ; language in general. G. dialektos ; dia, through, and 

lego, to speak. 
DIALECTICS, s. The science of dialects; logic. See DIALECT. 
DIALEIP'SIS. s. The cavity or space formed by a wound. G. dia, 

between, and leipo, to leave. 
DI'ALOGUE. s. Formal conversation between two or more persons. 

G. dialogos ; from dia, through, and logos, a discourse. 
DIAMETER, s. A right line which divides the area of a circle into 

two equal parts. G. dia, through, and metreo, to measure. 
DIAMET'RICAL. adj. Describing a diameter; crossing in the man- 

ner of a diameter, and hence denoting division or opposition. See 

DIAMETER. 
DIAPASON, s. A musical chord which includes all the tones. G. 

dia, through, and pas, all. 
DlAPHON IC. adj. Having the power to transmit light; transparent. 

G. dia, through, and phaino, to shine. 
DIAPHRAGM, s. The midriff which divides the upper cavity of the 

body from the lower. G. diaphragma ; dia, between, and phragma, 

a fence. 
DIARRHCE A. s. A flux of the body. L. diarrhoea : G. diarrhoia ; 

comp. of dia, from, and rheo, to flow. 
DIARRHGE TIC. adj. Purgative. See DIARRHCEA. 
DIARY, s. A daily register. L. diarium ; from dies, a day. 
DI'ASTOLE. s. Amongst physicians, a dilatation of the heart, auri- 
cles, and arteries, opposed to systole or contraction. In grammar, 

the extension of a syllable. G. diastole : dia, and stello, to set or 

send from. 
DIATONIC, adj. In music, ascending or descending in sound, in 

certain intervals. G. dia, by or through, and tonos, sound. 
DI'ATRIBE. s. A disputation or continued discourse. G. diatribe : 

dia, through, and tribo, to wear. 
DICTATE, v. To speak as one having authority; to direct. L. freq. 

v. dicto, to speak often : dico, to speak. 
DICTION, s. Language; expression. F. diction: L. dictio ; dico, to 

•speak. 
DICTIONARY, s. A book containing the form and explanation of 

words. See DICTION. 

84 



DID— DIM 

DIDACTIC, or DIDACTICAL, adj. Instructive; adapted to teach. 

G. didalctikos ; didasko, to teach. 
DIES NON. A day on which no legal proceedings can take place, or 

on which public offices are shut. L. dies, a day, and non, not. 
DI'ET. s. Food ; food regulated by a physician. F. diete. L. diosta. 

In the middle ages, this word was used to denote the provision or 

food for one day, and also for a journey of one day ; hence, it seems 

to be from L. dies, a day. 
DIFFER, p. To disagree; to vary. L. differo ; dis, asunder, and fero, 

to carry. 
DIF'FICULTY. s. Trouble; opposition. L. difficulias ; from difficilis ; 

dis, meaning deprivation, and facilis, easy. 
DIFFIDENT, adj. Not confident; distrustful. L. diffidens, part, of 

diffido ; dis, without, and fides, faith. 
DIFFUSE, v. To pour out and spread as a fluid ; to spread. L. dif- 

fusum, sup. of d iff undo ; dis, asunder, and fundo, to pour out. 
DIGEST', v. To arrange ; to dissolve, as in the stomach. L. digestum, 

sup. of digero, to divide: di, asunder, and gero, to carry. 
DIGIT, s. Three-fourths of an inch. L. digitus, a finger, or finger's 

breadth. G. daktulos. 
DIG'NIFY. v. To exalt; to honour. L. dignus, honourable, and fio, 

to be made. 
DIGNITARY, s. A clergyman of high rank. F. dignitaire : L. 

dignilas, dignity : from dignus, worthy, or honourable. 
DIGRESS', v. To turn aside. L. digressus, part, of digredior ; dis, 

from, and gradus, a step. 
DILA'CERATE. v. To rend. L. dilacero ; dis, asunder, and lacero, 

to tear. 
DILAPIDATE, v. To go to ruin ; to fall by decay ; to pull down. 

L. dilavido : di, asunder, and lapis, a stone. 
DILATATION, s. The act of dilating. See DILATE. 
DILA'TE. v. To extend ; to enlarge. L. dilato : dis, asunder, and 

latum, sup. of fero, to carry. 
DIL'ATORY. adj. Slow ; late ; tardy ; prone to defer ; tending to de- 
lay. L. dilatarius. See DILATE. 
DILEMMA, s. An argument equally conclusive by contrary suppo- 
sitions; a difficult choice. G. dilemma; dis, double, and lemma, a 

thing assumed ; lambano, to take. 
DIL'IGENT. adj. Constant in application; zealously industrious; 

assiduous. F. diligent : L. diligens, part, of diligo, to favour or love 

greatly : di, from, and lego, to choose. 
DILU'CIDATE. v. To make clear. L. dilucido ; from di, signifying 

through, and lucidus, bright: lucis, gen. of lux, light. 
DILU'ENT. adj. Having the power of diluting. L. diluens, Dart, of 

diluo. See DILUTE. 
DILU'TE. v. To make thin ; to render liquid, or more liquid. L. di. 

latum, sup. of diluo, to temper, or mix. 
DIME. s. A coin of the United States of America, in value the tenth 

of a dollar. Derived, through the F., from L. decimus, a tenth. 
DIMENSION, s. That which any thing measures; extent. L. di- 

mensio: dimensus, part, of dimetior, to measure. 
DIMINISH, v. To lessen. L. diminuo : minor, less. 

h 85 



DIM— DIS 

DIMIS'SORY. adj. Sending away ; dismissing 1 to another jurisdic- 
tion. A letter dimissory is one given by a bishop to a candidate for 

holy orders, having a title in his diocese, directed to some other 

bishop, and giving leave for the bearer to be ordained by him. L. 

dimissorius. See DISMISS. 
DI'OCESE. s. The circuit of a bishop's jurisdiction. G. dia, through, 

and oikesis, a habitation. 
DIOP'TRIC. adj. Affording a medium for the sight; assisting the 

sight in viewing distant objects. G. dia, through, and opiomai, to 

view. 
DIPHTHONG, s. A coalition of two vowels in one sound. G. diph- 

thongos : dis, twice, and phthongos, a sound. 
DIPLO MA. s. Anciently, a letter or other composition, written on 

paper or parchment, and folded; afterwards, any letter, literary 

monument, or public document. G. diploma ; from diplo-o, to fold. 
DIPLOMATIC, adj. Privileged; relating to the office of an ambas- 
sador. F. diplomatique. See DIPLOMA. 
DIPLOMATIQUE, adf. Relating to the office of an ambassador. 

F. See DIPLOMATIC. 
DIP'TOTE. s. A noun having only two cases. G. diptota : dis, twice, 

and ptosis, a case. 
DIRECT, adj. Straight; immediate; express. L. directus, p. part, of 

dirigo: di, signifying through, and rego, te guide. 
DIRUP'TION. s. Act of rending, h.diruptio: diruptus, p. part, of 

dirumpo ; from dis, or di, asunder, and rumpo, to break. 
DISA'BLE. v. To deprive of ability. L. dis, signifying deprivation, 

and able. 
DISBURSE', v. To pay ; to expend. L. dis, from, and bursa, a purse. 
DISASTER, s. Originally meant the supposed blast or stroke of an 

unfavourable planet ; it now denotes misfortune. F. disastre : G. 

dus, evilly, and aster, a star. 
DISCARD', v. To lay aside or throw away cards, when playing a 

game; to dismiss. L. dis, asunder, and CARD. 
DISCERN', v. To distinguish ; to descry. L. discerno : dis, asunder, 

and cerno, to perceive. 
DISCI'PLE. s. A scholar ; a follower. L. discipulus ; from disco, to 

learn. 
DIS'CIPLINE. s. Education ; rule or method of government, &c. 

L. disciplina. See DISCIPLE. 
DISCLAIM', v. To disown : to disavow. L. dis, meaning separation, 

and claim. 
DISCLOSE', v. To uncover ; to discover ; to make known. L. dis, 

asunder, and close. 
DISCON'SOLATE. adj. Comfortless; sorrowful. L. dis, meaning 

deprivation, and consolatus, part, of consolor, to comfort. 
DIS'CORD. s. Disagreement. L. discordia : dis, asunder, and corda, 

(pi. of cor,) hearts. 
DISCOURSE', s. Conversation ; dissertation. F. discours ; from the 

L. discursus, a running backward and forward: discurso : dis, from, 

and curro, to run. 
DIS'COUS. adj. Broad ; flat ; wide ; used of the middle, lain, and 

flat part of some flowers. L. discus, a quoit. 

86 



DIS— DIS 

DISCOVER, v, To find out ; to make known. L. dis, from, and 
cover. 

DISCREET', adj. Prudent; modest. F. discret. See DISCRETION". 

DISCRETION, s. Prudence ; liberty of acting at pleasure. L. dis- 
credo: discretus, p. part, of discerno. See DISCERN. 

DISCRE'TIVE. adj. In logic and grammar, denotes disjunction, or 
opposition. L. discretus, severed, p. part, of discerno. See DISCERN. 

DISCRIMINATE, v. To distinguish. This word, in accordance 
with its derivation, should refer to the distinguishing of degrees of 
crime. L. discri?nino : dis, asunder, and crimen, a fault. 

DISCUR'SIVE. adj. Moving or roving about; desultory. L. discurso. 
See DISCOURSE. 

DISCUSS', v. To examine ; to argue. L. discvssum, sup. of discutio : 
dis, asunder, and vuatio, to shake. 

DISDAIN', v. To scorn. L. dis, not, and F. daigner, to condescend. 
L. dignor, to think worthy. 

DISEA'SE. s. Distemper. L. dis, meaning deprivation, and ease. 

DISEMBOGUE', v. To pour out or discharge at the mouth, as a 
stream. L dis, asunder, and F. en, in, and bouche, a mouth. 

DISFRANCHISE, v. To deprive of a civil privilege. L. dis, denoting 
deprivation, and franchise. 

DISGRA'CE. v. To put out of favour; to dishonour; to bring a re-- 
proach upon. L. dis, denoting deprivation, and gratia, favour. 

DISGORGE', v. To discharge through the mouth. L. dis, from, and 
F. gorge, the throat. 

DISGUISE, v. To conceal, by a counterfeit appearance. L. dis, de- 
noting deprivation, and F. guise, manner. 

DISGUST', s. Disrelish ; distaste ; strong aversion. L. dis, from, and 
gustus, the taste. 

DISHABILLE', s. Undress. F. deshabille : L. dis, not, and F. ha- 
bill'e, dressed. 

DISHEVEL, v. To spread [the hair.] F. decheveler : L. dis, asun- 
der, and F. cheveu, hair. 

DISINGENUOUS, adj. Uncandid ; unfair. L. dis, meaning depriva- 
tion, and ingenuous. 

DISINHERIT, v. To cut off from hereditary right. L. dis, asunder, 
and inherit. 

DISJUNCTIVE, adj. Denoting separation, or opposition. L. dis- 
junclivus : disjungo, to separate. 

DISK. s. The face of the sun, or of a planet, as it amaears to the eye; 
a quoit. L. discus, a dish or quoit. 

DIS'LOCATE. v. To put out of the proper place ; to disjoint. L. dis, 
asunder, and loco, to place. 

DISMISS', v. To send away ; to discharge. L. dis, from, and missum, 
sup. ofmitto, to send. 

DISPARAGE, v. To match unequally ; to injure by comparing with 
something of less value. L. dispar, unequal : dis, denoting separa- 
tion, nnd par, a pair or couple. 

DISPART VY. s. Inequality; unlikeness. F. disparite : L. dispar, 
unlike : coinp. of dis, denoting separation, and par, equal. 

DISPEL', v. To drive away, by scattering ; to dissipate. L. dispello: 
dis, asunder, and pello, to drive. 

87 



DIS— DIS 

DISPEN'SARY. s. A place from which medicines are given. F. dis- 

pensaire. See DISPENSE. 
DISPENSE', v. To distribute, (to dispense with, to excuse.) F. dis- 

penser : L. dis, asunder, and pensum, sup. of pendo, to weigh. 
DISPEN'SATORY. s. A pharmacopoeia, or book in which the com- 

position of medicines is described and directed. See DISPENSE. 
DISPERSE', v. To scatter. L. dispersum, sup. of dispergo : dis, 

asunder, and spargo, to scatter. 
DISPLAY', v. To spread wide ; to exhibit. L. dis, asunder, and 

plico, to fold. 
DISPOSE, v. To distribute ; to arrange ; to incline. F. disposer : 

L. dis, asunder, and posilvm, sup. ofpono, to place. 
DISPU'TE. v. To controvert; to contest by argument; to debate. 

L. dispvto : dis, signifying separation or opposition, and puto, to 

think. 
DISQUISI'TION. s. Examination ; disputative inquiry. L. disquisi- 

tio ; from disquisitus, p. part, of disquiro : dis, signifying separation, 

and qucBro, to seek. 
DISRUPTION, s. Act of rending. L. disruplio. See DIRUPTION; 

a word which is more elegant than disruption. 
DISSECT', v. To cut into parts. L. dissectum, sup. of disseco : dis, 

asunder, and seco, to cut. 
DISSEM'BLE. v. To hide under a fictitious appearance. Old. F. dis- 

sembler : L. dissimulo : comp. of dis, noting deprivation, and similis, 

like. 
DISSEMINATE, v. To scatter like seed ; to spread every way. L. 

dissemino : dis, asunder, and semwo, to sow : semen, seed. 
DISSEN'SION. s. Act of dissenting ; disagreement ; discord ; quarrel. 

L. dissensio. See DISSENT. 
DISSENT', v. To disagree in opinion. L. dissentio ; from dis, asun- 
der, and sentio, to think. 
DISSERTATION, s. A disquisition ; a treatise. L. dissertatio; from 

the frequentative v. disserto, to argue. 
DISSIMULATION, s. Act of dissembling. L. dissimulatio. See 

DISSEMBLE. 
DISSIL'IENT. adj. Starting asunder ; bursting and opening with an 

elastic force, as the dry pod or capsule of a plant. L. dissiliens, 

part, of dissilio : dis, asunder, and salio, to leap. 
DIS'SIPATE. v. To disperse ; to squander. L. dissipo, to scatter. 
DISSO'CIATE. v. To separate ; to disunite. L. dissocio : dis, signi- 
fying separation, and socius, a companion. 
DISSOL'UBLE. adj. Capable of being dissolved, or melted. L. disso. 

lubilis. See DISSOLVE. 
DIS'SOLUTE. adj. Unrestrained ; wanton. L. dissolutus, p. part, of 

dissolvo. See DISSOLVE. 
DISSOLUTION, s, Separation; death. L. dissolutio. See DIS- 
SOLVE. 
DISSOLVE', v. To unbind ; to melt. L. dissolvo : dis, asunder, and 

solvo, to untie. 
DIS'SONANT. adj. Discordant. L. dissonans, part, of dissono ; from 

dis, noting opposition, and sono, to sound. 



DIS-DIV 

DISSUADE', v. To advise against. L. dissuadeo: dis, from, and 
sundeo, to persuade. 

DISS YL'L ABLE. s. A word of two syllables. G. dis, twofold, and 
syllable. 

DIS'TANCE. s. Intervening space ; remoteness ; respect ; reserve. 
F. distorts : L. dislantia ; from dis } asunder, and starts, part, of sto, 
to stand. 

DISTEND', v. To stretch out in breadth. L. distendo : dis, asunder, 
and tendo, to spread. 

DISTENTION, s. Act of distending ; breadth. L. distensio. See 
DISTEND. 

DISTICH, s. A couplet ; a couple of lines. L. distichon : G. dis, 
twofold, and stichos, a verse. 

DISTIL', v. To fall in drops; to make spirituous liquors. L. distillo : 
dis, asunder, and stillo, to drop or trickle down. 

DISTINCT', adj. Having a marked and visible difference ; apart ; 
clear ; unconfused. L. distinctus, p. part, of distinguo : dis, signi- 
fying separation, and tinctus, p. part, of lingo, to dye or colour. 

DISTINGUISH, v. To mark out by some external sign ; to see ob- 
jects separately. L. distinguo ; from dis, separately, and tingo, to 
dye or colour. 

DISTORT', v. To writhe ; to deform. L. distortion, sup. of distor- 
queo: dis, from, and lorqueo, to twist. 

DISTRACT', v. To divide ; to perplex; to make insane. L. dis- 
tractum, sup. of distraho : comp. of dis, asunder, and traho, to draw. 

DISTRAIN', v. To seize as an indemnity or security. L. distringo, 
to bind fast. 

DISTRESS', s. Act of distraining; thing distrained ; calamity ; misery. 
F. distresse : L. distr ictus, p. part, of distringo. See DISTRAIN. 

DISTRIB'UTE. v. To divide amongst more than two. L. distribuo : 
dis, asunder, and tribuo, to bestow. 

DISTRICT, s. Circuit of authority ; province ; division. L. distric- 
tus, p. part, of distringo, to bind. 

DISTURB', v. To disquiet. L. dislurbo : dis, separately, and turbo, 
to disorder : turba, a crowd. 

DITHYRAM'BIC. s. A kind of song, in honour of Bacchus ; a drink- 
ing song. G. ditharos, having a double door, and embaino, to enter. 
See the heathen Mythology. 

DITTO, s. A mercantile term, equivalent to the relative said, used 
by lawyers, and signifying the same as that which preceded. Ita- 
lian ; from the L. dictus, p. part, of dico, to say. 

DIURETIC, adj. Promoting urine. F. diuretique: G. diouretikos : 
com p. of dia, from, and oureo, urinam reddo. 

DIURNAL, adj. Daily. L. diurnus ; from dies, a day. 

DIVERGE', v. To tend various ways from one point. L. diver go : 
di, from, and vcrgo, to decline, or bend. 

DIVERS. See DIVERSE. 

DIVERSE', adj. Different; in various directions. L. diversus, p. 
part, of diverto : di, asunder, and verto, to turn. 

DIVERSION, s. Act of diverting; sport. Sec DIVERT. 

DIVERT', d. To turn aside; to amuse. L. diverto ; comp. of di, from, 
and verto, to turn. 

h* 89 



DIV-DOM 

DIVEST', v. See DEVEST; which is more conformable with the 
derivation, and more generally used. 

DIVIDE', v. To part or separate; to make partition. L. divido : di, 
asunder, and iduo, that is, viduo, to part. 

DIVIDE ETIMPERA. Divide and govern:— the maxim of nearly 
all monarchal governments. L. divide, (imperative of divido,) di- 
vide, et, and impera, (imperative of impero,) govern. 

DIVIDEND, s. In arithmetic, the number to be divided ; a share as- 
certained by division. L. dividendus, to be divided : part, of divido. 
See DIVIDE. 

DIVI'NE. adj. Partaking of the nature of God ; heavenly. L. divinus : 
divi, the gods. The fables of poets (says Bossu) were originally em- 
ployed in representing the Divine nature, according to the notion 
then conceived of it. This sublime subject caused the first poets to 
be called divines, and poetry the language of the gods. 

DIVINE, v. To foretel, as by divine inspiration. See the adjective. 

DIVINITY, s. The state of being divine ; a divine being. L. divini- 
tas. See the adj. DIVINE. 

DIVISTON. s. The act of dividing ; partition; disunion. L. divisio : 
divisus, p. part, of divido. See DIVIDE. 

DIVORCE', s. Legal separation of husband and wife. F. divorce : L. 
divorsus, p. part, of divorto, (synonymous with diverto,) to turn away 
from. 

DIVULGE', v. To make public. L. divulgo ; di, meaning amongst, 
and vulgus, the common people. 

DIVUL'SION. s. Act of plucking away ; laceration. L. divulsus, p. 
part, of divello : de, from, and vello, to pluck. 

DOCILE, adj. Easily taught ; tractable. F. docile : L. docilis : doceo, 
to teach. 

DOCTOR, s. One who has received a collegiate diploma for his skill 
in divinity, law, physic, &c. L. doctor, a teacher ; from doceo, to 
teach. 

DOCTRINE, s. That which is taught. L. doctrina. See DOCTOR. 

DOCUMENT, s. Written evidence, or means of information. L. 
docvmentum ; from doceo, to teach. 

DOGMA, s. A settled opinion ; established principle ; doctrinal no- 
tion. G. dogma : dokeo, to think. 

DOGMATICAL, adj. Authoritative. See DOGMA. 

DOLEFUL, adj. Sorrowful. L. doleo, to grieve. 

DOLOROUS, adj. Sorrowful : gloomy. L. dolor, pain, or sorrow. 

DOMAIN', s. Dominion ; estate ; demesne. F. domaine : L. dominium ; 
from dominus, a master ; domus, a house. 

DOME. s. A house ; a large cupola. F. dome : L. domus, a house. 

DOMES'TIC. adj. Relating or belonging to home. L. domesticus : 
domus, a house. 

DOMICILTARY. adj. A domiciliary visit is an intrusion, by govern- 
mental authority, into a dwelling house. F. domicile, a habitation : 
L. domus, a house. 

DOMINANT, adj. Predominant; ascendant. F. dominant, part, of 
dominer. See DOMINEER. 

DOMTNATE. v. To predominate ; to govern. L. domino. See DO- 
MINANT. 

90 



DOM— DUA 

DOMINE'ER. v. To rule, or command with insolence. F. dominer : 

L. dominor, to govern : dominus, a master ; domus, a house. 
DOMINTCAL. adj. That which marks Sunday. L. dominicalis : 

Dominus, the Lord. 
DOMIN'ION. s. Sovereign power ; territory. L. dominium : dominus, 

a master. 
DONA'TION. s. A gift, for some general purpose. L. donatio: dono, 

to give. 
DO'NOR. s. A giver. L. dono, to give. 
DOR'MANT. adj. Sleeping; inoperative; concealed. F. dormant, 

part, of dormir, to sleep : L. dormio, to sleep. 
DOR'MITIVE. adj. Promoting sleep. F. dormitif: L. dormio, to 

sleep. 
DORMITORY, s. A sleeping-room. L. dormitorium : dormio, to 

sleep. 
DOR'MOUSE. s. A mouse which sleeps during part of winter. L. 

dormio, to sleep, and mouse. 
DOSE. s. A prescribed quantity. F. dose : G. dosis : didomi, to 

give. 
DOSOL'OGY. s. A treatise on the quantity of medicine to be taken 

at one time. G. dosis, a dose, and logos, a discourse. 
DO'TAL. adj. Pertaining to dower. L. dotalis ; from dotis, gen. oT 

dos, dower. 
DOTA'TION. s. Act of endowing. L. dotalus, p. part, of doto, to en- 
dow : dotis, gen. of dos, a dowry or portion ; from do, to give. 
DOUBLE, s. Twice as much ; being in a two-fold state ; a turn in 

running, to escape pursuers; a trick. L. duplex: duo, two, and 

plico, to fold. 
DOUBLE ENTENDRE, s. An obscene allusion in disguise. F. 

double, double, and entendre, to understand. 
DOUCEUR', s. A bribe ; compensation. F. douceur, sweetness. 
DOWER, s. A wife's marriage-portion, or a widow's possession. F. 

douaire : douer, to bestow. 
DOXOL'OGY. s. A form of glorifying God. G. doxa, glory, and logos, 

a word. 
DOZ'EN. s. The number of twelve. F. douzaine : douze, twelve : L. 

duodecim. 
DRAM' A. s. A theatrical representation ; a play. G. dra?na : drao, 

to act. 
DRA'PER. s. One who sells cloth. F. drapier ; from drap, cloth. 
DR APERY, s. Cloth ; ornamental part of curtains ; imitation of dress 

by a painter or statuary. F. draperie : drap, cloth. 
DRESS, v. To adjust to a right line ; to put into good order ; to apply 

medicaments; to prepare; to clothe; to adorn. F. dresser; from 

the L. rectus, p. part, of rego, to rule, or make straight. 
DROP'SY. s. A collection of water in the body. L. hydrops : G. hit- 
dor, water, and ops, an appearance. 
DRU'ID. s. One of the priests who worshiped in groves; called, by 

Caesar, druides ; supposed from the G. drus, an oak. 
DRY' ADS. s. Wood-nymphs. L. dryades : G. druades ; from drus, 

an oak. 
DU'AL. adj. Expressing the number two. L. dualis ; duo, two. 

91 



DUB-EBR 

DU'BIOUS. adj. Doubtful; uncertain. L. dubius ; from dubium, & 
doubt ; duo, two. 

DUCTILE, adj. Flexible ; easily extended. L. ductilis ; from duco, 
to draw. 

DUE. adj. Owing; that which one has a riarht to demand; proper; 
fit. F. da, p. part, of devoir, to owe. L. debeo. 

DU'EL. s. A combat between two persons. F. duel : L. duellum : 
duo, two. 

DUKE. s. One of the highest order of nobility in England ; a title 
originally signifying a chief or leader. F. due : L. dux; from duco, 
to lead. 

DUL/CET. adj. Sweet ; harmonious. L. dulcis, sweet. 

DULCIMER, s. A kind of musical instrument. L. dulcis, sweet. 

DUODECIMAL, adj. Numbered by twelve. L. duodecim, twelve. 

DUODECIMO, s. A book formed by folding a sheet of paper into 
twelve leaves. (12mo.) L. duodecimus, the twelfth. 

DUODE CUPLE. adj, Consisting of twelves. L. duo, two, and decu. 
plus, tenfold. 

DU'PLICATE. s. A copy, generally the first. L. duplicatus, p. part, 
of duplico, to double. 

X>UPLFCITY. 5. Deceit, by using two appearances. F. duplicite : L. 
duplicis, gen. of duplex, double : duo, two, and plico, to fold. 

DURABLE, adj. Lasting. L. durabilis : duro, to continue. 

DURANCE, s. Imprisonment. L. durans, part, of duro, to remain. 

DURANTE BENE PLA'CITO. At the will of the person grant- 
ing; — literally, "our decree, or pleasure happily continuing." L. 

DURESS', s. Duress, in law, is either by imprisonment, or threats ; 
and is inflicted for the purpose of causing a person to do some act 
against his will. L. durities : durus, hard, rigorous. 

DURING, prep. For the time of the continuance of L. duro, to con- 
tinue. During is often improperly used : it is ungrammatical to say, 
that an event occurred "during the war," or "during his confine- 
ment," because the term during includes the whole period of the 
war, or the whole period of the confinement, and an evenl happens 
in only apart of that period. 

DUTY. s. That which is due ; that to which a man is, by any natural 
or legal obligation, bound; tax; impost. See DUE. 

DUUM'VIRATE. s. The union of two men in the same office ; or the 
office, dignity, or government of two men thus associated. L. duo, 
two, and vir, a man. 

DYNAM'ICS. s. The science of moving powers. G. dunamis, power. 

DY'NASTY. s. Sovereignty. F. dynastie : G. dunasteia ; from dunas- 
tes, a ruler. 

DYS'ENTERY. s. A disorder of the bowels. L. dysentcria : G. dusen- 
teria : dus, with difficulty, and enteron, a bowel. 

DYSPEPSIA, or DYSPEP'SY. s. Imperfect digestion. G. duspepsia : 
dus, with difficulty, and pepto, to boil or digest. 

E. 

EBRI'ETY. s. Drunkenness. L. from ebrius, soaked ; drenched ; G. 
brecho, to moisten or drench. 

92 



EBU— EDI 

EBULLITION, s. Act of boiling up with heat; effervescence. F. 

ebullition : L. ebullio, to boil, or bubble up : e, from, and bulla, a 

bubble. 
EC'CE HOMO. Behold the man. L. ecce, Lo ! homo, the man. 
ECCEN'TRIC. adj. Deviating from the centre ; irregular ; uncommon. 

L. eccentricus : ex, from, and centrum, a centre. 
ECCLESIAS'TICAL. adj. Relating to the church. L. ecclesiastic us : 

G. ekklesia, an assembly. 
EC'CE SIG'NUM. Behold the sign, or mark. L. ecce, Lo ! signum, 

the sign. 
ECHELON', s. In military tactics, the position of an army in the form 

of steps. F. from echelle, a ladder. 
ECH'O. s. The return or repercussion of any sound ; the sound re- 
turned. L. echo : G. echo ; from echos, a sound. 
ECHOM'ETER. s. (In music;) a kind of scale, serving to measure 

the duration of sounds. G. echos, sound, and metreo, to measure. 
ECLAIR' CISSEMENT. s. Explanation. F. eclaircissement : eclair cir, 

to clear : eclairer, to give light. 
E'CLAT. s. Publicity ; lustre. F. eclat, a crack. 
ECLECTIC, adj. Selecting. G. eklektikos : ek, out of, and lektos, 

chosen ; from lego, to choose. 
ECLIPSE', s. The obscuring of a heavenly luminary, by interposition. 

G. ekleipsis : ekleipo, to fail or desert. 
ECLIP'TIC. s. A great circle of the sphere, supposed to run through 

the middle of the zodiac, making an angle with the equinoctial of 

about 23 J degrees ; which is the sun's greatest declination, and in 

which his eclipses happen. G. ekleiptikos. See ECLIPSE. 
ECLOGUE, s. A pastoral poem. G. ekloge, choice, ek, out of, and 

logos, a word. According to the etymology, eclogue should be no 

more than a select or choice piece ; but custom has assigned it a 

further signification ; viz. a little elegant composition, in a simple 

and natural style. 
ECON'OMY. s. Management of a family ; frugality. L. mconomia : 

G. oikonomia : oikos, a house, and nomos, a law. 
ECSTACY, or EXTASY. s. Rapture. G. ekstasis ; from ek, out, and 

stasis, standing. 
EDA'CIT Y. s. Voracity ; greediness. L. edacitas ; from edo, to eat. 
EDTBLE. adj. Proper to be eaten. L. edo, to eat. 
E'DICT. s. A proclamation or command issued by an absolute sove- 
reign ; a law. L. edictum : e, from, and dico, to say. 
EDIFICE, s. A building ; a house. L. adijicium : cedis, a building, 

and facio, to make. 
ED'IFY. v. This word originally signified to build. It now signifies 

to instruct, or improve. L. edifico. See EDTFICE. 
E'DILE. s. A Roman officer, whose original office was to take care 

of temples and other public buildings. L. adilis ; from cedis, a 

temple. 
EDI'TION. s. Publication ; meaning, the whole number of copies of a 

book printed from one arrangement of the types. L. editio : edo, to 

publish : e, from, and do, to give. 
EDITOR, s. Publisher; one who superintends a publication. L, 

editor. See EDITION. 

93 



EDU— ELA 

ED'UCATE. v. To instruct. L. educo ; e, out of, (meaning forward,) 

and dnco, to lead. 
EDUCE, v. To bring or draw out ; to extract. L. educo : e, from, 

and duco, to lead. 
EF'FABLE. adj. Expressive ; utterable. L. ex, out of, or from, and 

fabulor, to speak. 
EFFA'CE. v. To erase. F. effacer : L. ex, from, and fades, a face. 
EFFECT', s. Consequence ; success ; design ; reality. L. effectus, p. 

part, of efficio : ex, from, and facio, to make. 
EFFECTS', s. Whatever will effect, produce, or bring forth, money 

by sale. See EFFECT. 
EFFEMINATE, adj. Unmanlike; womanish. L. effeminatus : fe- 

rnina, a woman. 
EFFERVESCE', v. To boil gently ; to bubble. L. effervesco, to fer- 
ment; from ferveo, to be hot. 
EFFE'TE. adj. Barren ; worn out with age. L. effaslus or effetus : 

ex, from, and foetus, big with young. 
EFFICA'CIOUS. adj. Having the power to effect ; remedial. L. effi- 

cax. See EFFECT. 
EFFICIENT, adj. Producing an effect. L. efficient. See EFFECT. 
EF'FIGY. s. An image. L. effigies ; from effingo, to fashion. 
EFFLORESCENT, adj. Shooting out in the form of flowers. L. efflo- 

rescens ; part of effioresco : Jloris, gen. of Jios, a flower. 
EFFLUENCE, s. That which issues from some other principle. L. 

effluens, part, of effiuo : ex, from, -and Jluo, to flow. 
EFFLUVIA, s. Ascending particles; smell. L. pi. of effluvium; 

from effiuo. See EFFLUX. 
EF'FLUX. s. Act of flowing out; thing which flows out. L. effluxus, 

p. part, of effiuo ; comp. of ex, from, and Jluo, to flow. 
EFFORT, s. Laborious endeavour. F. effort : L. ex, out of, and fors, 

strength. 
EFFRONTERY, s. Impudence ; shamelessness ; contempt of re- 
proach. F. effronterie. See AFFRONT. 
EFFULGENT, adj. Shining ; luminous. L. effulgent, part, of efful- 

geo ; ex, out of, and fulgeo, to shine. 
EFFU'SION. s. Act of pouring out ; thing poured out. L. effusio : 

effusus, p. part, of effundo : ex, from, and fundo, to pour. 
E'GOTIST. s. One who talks much concerning himself. L. ego, I. 
EGREGIOUS, adj. Remarkable; eminently bad: the latter is the 

usual sense. L. egregius : e, out of, and grege, abl. of grex, a flock, 

or multitude. 
E'GRESS. s. Departure ; means of departure. L. egressus, part, of 

egredior : e, from, and gradior, to proceed : gradus, a step. 
EJACULATE, v. To utter suddenly. L. ejaculor: e, from, and jacu. 

lor, to dart : jacio, to throw. 
EJECT', v. To throw out; to expel. L. ejectum, sup. of ejicio : c, 

from, and jacio, to throw. 
ELABORATE, adj. Finished with great labour. L. elaboratus, p. 

part, of elaboro, to labour : e, from, and labor, labour. 
ELAPSE', v. To pass away. L. elapsus, part, of elabor : e, from, and 

labor, to glide. 

94 



ELA— EMA 

ELASTIC, adj. Having the power of a spring. F. elastique : G. elao, 

to repel. 
ELA'TE. adj. Elevated by success ; joyful. L. elatus, p. part, of ef- 

fero : ex, from, and fero, to carry. 
ELECT', v. To choose. L. electum, sup. of eligo : e, from, and lego, 

to choose. 
ELECTRIC, adj. Relating to electricity ; having electric matter. L. 

electrum, amber, (which is attractive;) G. elektron : elko, to draw. 
ELECTROM'ETER. s. An instrument which indicates the strength 

of the electric fluid. G. elektron, the electric fluid, and metreo, to 

measure. 
ELECTUARY, s. In pharmacy, a form of medicine composed of 

powders, or other ingredients, incorporated with some conserve, 

honey, or syrup. Low L. electuarium : from G. leicho, to lick. 
ELEEMOS'YNARY. adj. Given through charity. G. eleemosune, 

compassion : eleeo, to pity. 
,EL'EGANT. adj. Pleasing ; handsome. L. elegans ; comp. of e, from 

and lego, to choose. 
EL'EGY. s. A funeral song. L. elegeia : G. elogos ; from eleos, pity. 
EL'EVATE. v. To raise ; to enliven. L. elevo : e, from, and levo, to 

lift. 
ELE'VE. s. A disciple ; one brought up, or protected by another. F. 

eleve : elever, to raise. See ELEVATE. 
ELI'CIT. v. To strike out. R. elicio, to draw, or strike out. 
ELTGIBLE. adj. Desirable. L. eligibilis : e, from, and lego, to choose. 
ELIS'ION. s. The act of cutting out ; as in walk'd, for walked. L. 

elisio : elisus, p. part, of elido, to strike out: compounded of e and 

laedo. 
ELI'TE. s. In military language, the choice or select: from elire, to 

choose: L. e, from, and legere, infin. of lego, to choose. 
ELLIP'SIS. s. A figure of rhetoric, by which something is left out; 

in geometry, an oval figure, generated from the section of a cone : 

G. elleipsis : en, in, and leipo, to fail. 
ELLIPTIC, or ELLIPTICAL, adj. Having the form of an ellipsis; 

oval. See ELLIPSIS. 
ELOCU'TION. s. Art of speaking with elegance and force. L. elo- 

cutio : e, out, and loquor, to speak. 
EL'OQUENT. adj. Having the power of fluent, elegant, and convinc- 
ing language. L. eloquens. See ELOCUTION. 
ELUCIDATE, v. To make clear ; to explain. L. elucido : e, from, 

and luceo, to give light: lux, light. 
ELUDE, v. To avoid; to escape. L. eludo : e, from, and ludo, to 

play, or mock. 
ELYSIUM, s. The place assigned, by the heathens, to happy souls ; 

any place exquisitely pleasant. L. elysium : G. elusion: ek, from, 

and lusis, a dissolution. 
EMA'CIATED. adj. Wasted ; lean. L. emacio, to make lean : macies, 

leanness. 
EM' AN ATE. v. To issue or flow from. L. emano : e, from, and 

mono, to run in a small stream, to distil. 
EMANCIPATE, v. To set free. L. emancipo : e, from, and mancipo, 

to give away ; manu, (abl. ofmanus,) from the hand, and capio, to take. 

95 



EMA-EMP 

EMAS'CULATE. v. To deprive of virility ; to render effeminate. Low 

L. emasculo : e, from, and mas, a male. 
EMBARK', v. To go on shipboard ; to adventure. F. embarquer : en, 

into, and barque, a large boat. 
EM'BASSY. s. A public message. F. ambassade. See AMBASSA- 
DOR. 
EMBEL'LISH. v. To adorn. F. embellir : en, into, and belle, hand- 

some. 
EM'BLEM. s. A distinguishing sign. G. emblema, a kind of inser- 
tion work, — alluding to the embroidery of a standard, or coat of 

arms : from emhallo, to throw in. 
EMBOSS', v. To embroider ; to engrave with relief. F. en, into, and 

bosse, a protuberance. 
EMBRA'CE. v. To fold in the arms; to include. F. embrasser ; from 

en, in, and bras, an arm. L. in, and brachium. 
EMBRASU'RE. s. An aperture in a wall, through which a cannon is 

pointed ; a battlement. 
EMBROCATION, s. The act of rubbing with medicinal liquors; the 

lotion with which any diseased part is washed. G. en, in, and bre- 

cho, to moisten. 
EM'ERYO. s. The incipient formation in the womb : (foetus, signifies 

the child in the womb, after it is perfectly formed.) G. embruyon : 

en, in, and bruo, to grow. 
EMEND A'TION. s. Correction. L. emendatio : e, from, and menda, 

a fault. 
EMERGE', v. To rise out of. L. emergo: comp. of e, from, and 

mergo, to plunge. 
EMER'GENCE, or EMERGENCY, s. Sudden occasion. See 

EMERGE. 
EMER'SION. s. The act of emerging ; opposed to immersion. See 

EMERGE. 
EMETIC, adj. Of a vomiting quality. G. emetikos : emeo, to vomit. 
EMTGRATE. v. To change the place of abode, from one country, to 

another. L. emigro : e, from, and migro, to remove. 
EMINENCE, s. Height ; a high place ; dignity. L. eminens, part. 

ofemineo, to stand above others : e, from, and mineo, to hang ready 

to fall. 
EMINENT, adj. High ; conspicuous. See EMINENCE. 
EMTSSARY. s. One sent out on secret business ; a spy. L. emissa- 

rius ; from emissus, p. part, of emitto ; comp. of e, from, and mitto, 

to send. 
EMISSION, s. Act of emitting ; thing emitted. L. cmissio. See 

EMIT. 
EMIT', v. To send forth ; to issue. L. emitto : e, from, and mitto, to 

send. 
EMOL'LIENT. adj. Softening. L. emolliens : mollis, soft. 
EMOL'UMENT. s. Profit. L. emolumentum ; comp. of e, from, and 

molimentum, an enterprise : molior, to toil. 
EMO'TION. s. Disturbance of mind ; vehemence of passion. L. emo- 

tio : emotus, p. part, of emoveo : e, out of, and moveo, to move. 
EMPALE. See IMPALE. 

EM'PEROR. s. A monarch, generally supposed to reign over many 

96 



EMP— END 

countries. F. emperevr : L. imperator, meaning originally a com- 

mander or ruler : from impero, to rule. 
EM'PHASIS. s. Remarkable stress, laid upon a word, or a sentence. 

G. emphasis : en, in, and phaino, to show or appear. 
EMPHATIC, adj. Forcible ; impressive ; requiring- emphasis ; uttered 

with emphasis. See EMPHASIS. 
EM'PIRE. s. Government; territory governed. F. empire. See EM- 
PEROR. 
EMPIRIC, s. A quack. F. empirique : G. empeirikos : en, in, and 

peira, an endeavour, or experiment. 
EMPLOY', v. To occupy the time, attention, and labour of; to use 

as an instrument or means. F. employer : L. in, in, and plico, to 

fold. 
EMPO'RIUM. s. A place of merchandise ; a commercial city. G. 

emporion : emporos, a merchant. 
EMPYR'EAN". s. The highest heaven. G. empuros : en, in, and pur, 

fire. 
EMPYR'EUM. s. The disagreeable burned taste and smell, which 

sometimes remains after boiling or distillation. G. empureuma : en, 

in, and pur, fire. 
EMULATE, v. To rival. L. cemulor, to rival. 
EMULSIVE, adj. Softening; milk-like. L. emulsus, p. part, of 

emulgeo : e, from, and mulgeo, to milk. 
ENAM'EL. v. To inlay ; to variegate with colours, properly with 

colours fixed by fire. 
ENAM'OUR. v. To inflame with love. F. en, into, and amour, love : 

L. in and amor. 
ENCHANT, v. To practise sorcery or witchcraft upon ; to delight to 

the highest degree ; to charm. F. enchanter : L. in, upon, and canto, 

to sing often. 
ENCHASE, v. To enfix; to enclose in any body, so as to be held fast. 
ENCLITICS, s. Particles which are closely united with other words, 

and throw back the accent upon the foregoing syllable. G. enkli- 

tica : en, in, or upon, and Iclino, to recline. 
ENCLOSE, v. To envelop ; to surround. F. enclos, part, of enclorre, 

to enclose. See INCLOSE. 
ENCO'MIUM. s. Praise. G. enkomion ; from komazo,io celebrate in 

song. 
ENCORE. Again. F. 

ENCOUN'TER. s. Conflict. F. encontre : L. contra, against. 
ENCOUR'AGE. v. To give courage; to incite; to raise confidence. 

F. en, in, and COURAGE. 

ENCROACH', v. To invade another's right ; to pass bounds. F. ac~ 
crochet, to catch : croc, a hook. 

ENCUMBER, v. F. encombrer. See INCUMBER. 

ENCYCLOPiE'DIA. s. The circle of sciences; a work containing 
information on every science. G. enkuklopaideia. See CYCLO- 
PAEDIA. 

ENDEM'IC. adj. Relating to a disease which is natural to a country. 

G, endemos : en, in, and demos, the people. 

ENDORSE', v. To write on the back of a bill, &c. F. endosser, (for- 
merly endorser ;) en, in, and dos, the back : L. in, and dorsum. 
i 97 



END— ENS 

ENDOW, v. To give a dower; to enrich by a gift. F. endouaire. 
See DOWER. 

ENDU'RE. v. To continue ; to sustain. F. endurer : L. in, in, and 
duro, to continue. 

ENEMY, s. A foe ; an antagonist. F. ennemi : L. inimicus ; in, not, 
and amicus, a friend. 

ENERGY, s. Natural power ; force. G. energeia : en, in, and ergon, 
work. 

ENER'VATE. v. To weaken ; to effeminate. L. enervo : comp. of 
e, from, and nervus, a nerve or sinew. 

EN FAMIL'LE. In the usual family mode; without ceremony. F. 
en, according a.s,famille, the family. 

ENFILA'DE. v. To pierce from flank to flank. F. enfiler : en, in, 
andjile, a row. 

EN FLUTE. A vessel is said to be armed enjlute, when she carries 
only her upper tier of guns ; her hold being filled with stores. Flute 
is a kind of long vessel, serving chiefly for the carrying of provisions 
in fleets of ships of war ; and is supposed to be derived from a Ger- 
man word, signifying to float. F. en, in the manner of, flute, a flute. 

ENFRANCHISE, v. To admit to all the privileges of a freeman ; to 
invest with the elective privilege. F. en, into, and franchise, free- 
dom. 

ENGA'GE. v. To empawn; to stake; to embark in an affair; to at- 
tack ; to bind by appointment or contract, &c. F. engager : comp. 
of en, in, and gage, a pawn or pledge. 

ENGENDER, v. To beget between different sexes ; to produce ; to 
form. F. engendrer : en, in, and genus, a race. 

ENGINE, s. A machine. F. engin : L. ingenium, a contrivance : in, 
in, and geno, to beget. 

ENGRA'VE. v. To cut figures in any substance. F. engraver : G. 
en, into, and grapho, to write. 

ENGROSS', v. To monopolize ; to copy in a larger character. F. 
grossir, to enlarge. 

ENIG'MA. s. An obscure question ; a riddle. G. ainigma : ainisso. 
mai, to hint. 

ENJOIN', v. To lay an injunction upon; to order; to prescribe. F. 
enjoindre. See INJUNCTION. 

EN MASSE. In a body : a military levy en masse, includes the whole 
population capable of bearing arms. F. en, in, masse, a mass. 

ENNUI, s. Weariness. F. 

EN'MITY. s. The quality or state of being an enemy. F. inimitie ; 
in, meaning not, and amitie, friendship. 

ENORMOUS, adj. Irregular ; extremely large. L. enormis : e, out 
of, and norma, a rule. 

ENROL', v. To write in a roll or register ; to record. F. enroler : en, 
in, and role, a roll or register. 

ENSHRI'NE. v. To enclose in a chest or cabinet ; to preserve as a 
thing sacred. F. en, in, and shrine. 

EN SIGN. s. The flag or banner of a military band ; the officer who 
carries the banner; naval ensign; a larger banner, hoisted on a 
staff, and carried over the poop or stern of a ship. F. enseigne : L. 
insignia ; from signum, a mark. 

98 



ENS-EPA 

ENSUE, v. To follow as a consequence; to succeed in a train of 
events, or course of time. F. ensuivre : L. insequor : in, upon, and 
sequor, to follow. 

ENTAIL', v. To settle and limit the inheritance of an estate, so that 
it cannot, by any subsequent possessor, be disposed of at his pleasure. 
See TAIL. 

ENTANGLE, v. To involve ; to confuse. F. en, (used for the L. in,) 
and L. tangor, to be beaten together. 

ENTEROL'OGY. s. An anatomical description of the intestines. G. 
enteron, an intestine, -and logos, a description. 

EN'TERPRISE. s. Arduous attempt. F. enterprise : entreprendre, 
to undertake. 

ENTERTAIN', v. To amuse ; to treat hospitably ; to cherish in the 
mind. F. entretenir : L. inter, amongst, and teneo, to hold, or retain. 

ENTHUSIASM, s. A vain belief of private revelation ; heat of ima- 
gination ; violence of passion ; elevation of fancy. G. enthousiasmos : 
en, in, and Theos, a god. Enthusiasm may be considered as an in- 
ternal burning of oneself in sacrifice ; as a passion which induces 
one to believe any thing, or attempt any thing, through a violent 
love of some object. . 

ENTI'RE. adj. Whole ; complete. F. entier : L. integer, whole. 

EN'TITY. s. Existence; a real being, or species of being. F. entite: 
L. ens, from esse, to be. 

ENTOMOL'OGY. s. The science which treats of insects; a treatise 
upon insects. G. entoma, an insect, (en, in, and temno, to cut,) and 
logos, a word, or discourse. 

EN'TRAILS. s. The intestines; the bowels. G. entera; from entos, 
within. » 

EN'TRANCE. s. The act of entering ; the power of entering ; the 
door, &c, by which a place may be entered. F. entrans, part, of 
entrer, to enter : L. intro, within. 

ENTREAT', v. To petition ; to solicit. L. in, into, and TREAT. 

ENTRE NO US. Between ourselves ; in secrecy. F. entre, between, 
nous, us. 

EN'TREPOT. s. An intermediate place of deposit. F. entrepot : L. 
inter, between, and positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 

ENUMERATE, v. To mention singly; to reckon. L. enumero: c, 
out of, and numero, to reckon. 

ENUNCIA'TION. s. Act of announcing. L. enunciatio. See AN- 
NOUNCE. 

ENVEL'OP. v. To inwrap ; to conceal. F. enveloper : L. in, in, and 
velo, to cover. 

ENVI'RON. v. To surround. F. cnvironner ; virer, to go around. 

EN'VOY. s. A public minister, in dignity below an ambassador, sent 
from one government to another. F. envoye ; envoyer, to send. 

EN'VY. v. To feel uneasy or mortified at the view of another's happi- 
ness, or success ; to grudge. F. envier : L. invideo ; in, into, and 
video, to see. 

E'PACT. s. A number by which we note the excess of the common 
solar year above the lunar, and ascertain the age of the moon. G. 
cpakte, a supplement. 

99 



EPA— EPI 

EP'AULET. s. A military shoulder-ornament. F. epaulette ; epaule, 

the shoulder. 
EPAULE' MENT. s. In fortification, a side- work, or work to cover 

side wise, made of gaboons, fascines, or bags of earth. F. epaule, a 

shoulder. 
EPHEM'ERAL. adj. Of one day's continuance. G. ephemerios ; epi, 

through, and hemera, a day. 
EPHO'RI. s. Five magistrates of Sparta, who inspected the conduct 

of the kings and the people. G. ephoroi ; ephoros, an inspector : epi, 

over, and horao, to see. 
EP'IC. adj. Relating to a narrative, not acted, as the drama, but 

merely read or spoken by one person : in its general sense, it now 

refers to an heroic poem. L. epicus : G. epos, a word, or song. 
EPICURE, s. A person fond of luxury. Epicurus, a Grecian, the 

founder of the Epicureans. But that philosopher did not teach that 

pleasure arose from sensual gratification ; but from intellectual en- 
joyment. 
EPIDEMIC, adj. Generally prevailing. G. epidemos ; epi, through, 

and demos, the people. 
EPIDERMIS, s. In anatomy, the cuticle or scarf-skin of the body. 

G. epidermis : epi, upon, and derma, a skin. 
EPIGLOT'TIS. s. In anatomy, one of the cartilages of the larynx, 

which covers the glottis. G. epiglottis : epi, over, and glotta, the 

tongue. 
EP IGRAM. s. A short poem, treating of only one subject, and ending 

in some point of wit. G. epi, upon, and gramma, a letter. 
EPIGRAPH, s. A title; an inscription. G. epi, upon, and grapho, to 

write. 
EP'ILEPSY. s. A convulsive fit. G. epilepsia ; epi, upon, and lam- 

bano, to seize. 
EP'ILGGUE. s. A poem or speech after the conclusion of a play. G. 

epilogos ; epi, upon, or after, and logos, a word. 
EPIPHANY, s. A church festival on the twelfth day after Christmas. 

G. epiphaneia ; epi, upon, and phaino, to appear, 
EPISCOPAL, adj. Relating or belonging to a bishop. L. episcopalis : 

G. episkopos, an overseer : epi, over, and skopeo, to look. 
EP'ISODE. s. A digression in a poem or fable. G. episodion : epi, 

beside, and ode, a song. 
EPIS'TLE. s. A solemn letter. G. epistole ; epi, upon, and stello, to 

send. 
EP'ISTYLE. s. In ancient architecture, a term used by the Greeks 

for what is now called the architrave. G. epi, upon, and stulos, a 

column. 
EP'ITAPH. s. Inscription on a tomb. G. epitaphion ; epi, upon, and 

taphos, a tomb. 
EPITHALA'MIUM. s. A marriage song. G. epithalamion ; epi, upon, 

and thalamos, a bridal chamber. 
EP'ITHET. s. An adjective denoting any quality, good or bad. G. 

epitheton ; epi, upon, tithemi, to place. 
EPIT'OME'. s. An abridgment. G. epitome ; epi, into, and temno, to 

cut. 

100 



EPO— ERE 

EP'OCH, or EPOCH' A. s. The time at which a new computation is 

begun. L. epocha : G. epoche ; epi, upon, and echo, to hold, or stop. 
EP'ULARY. adj. Belonging to feasts or banquets. L. epularis : epu- 

lum, a feast. 
EQUANIMTTY. s. Evenness of mind. L. aquanimitas ; from cequus, 

equal, and animus, the mind. 
EQUA'TION. s. A term in algebra and astronomy, denoting equali- 
sation. L. (zquatio ; from eequus, equal. 
EQUA'TOR. s. The imaginary circle which divides the globe into 

two equal parts, called the northern, and southern hemispheres. L. 

(equator ; from tequus, equal. 
EQUER'RY. s. Master of the horse. L. equarius, pertaining to a 

horse : equus, a horse. 
EQUES'TRIAN. adj. Pertaining to horses or horsemanship ; being 

on horseback. L. equester : from equus, a horse. 
EQUILAT'ERAL. adj. Having all sides equal. L. aqua latera, equal 

sides : oequus, and latus. 
EQUILIBRATE, v. To balance equally. L. cequus, equal, and libra, 

a balance. 
EQUILIBRIUM, s. Equipoise; equality of weight. L. equilibrium ; 

cequus, equal, and libra, a balance. 
EQUINOX, s. The time when the sun crosses the equator, and the 

night is of the same length as the day. L. aquus, equal, and nox, a 

night. 
EQUIP', v. To furnish for a horseman; to furnish in general. F. 

equiper : L. equus, a horse. 
EQUIPAGE, s. Furniture of a horseman ; but, more generally a 

splendid carriage and the horses ; or table furniture. F. equipage. 

See EQUIP. 
EQUIPOISE', s. Equilibrium; equality of weight, or of power. L. 

cequus, equal, and F. poids, weight. 
EQUIPOLLENT, adj. Having equal power or force. L. cequus, 

equal, and pollens, part, of polleo, to be able. 
EQUIPON'DEROUS. adj. Equal in weight. L. cequus, equal, and 

pondero, to weigh. 
EQ'UITY. a. Justice ; mode of decision in a court of justice, accord- 
ing rather to the spirit, than the letter, of the law. L. tequilas ; from 

csquus, equal. 
EQUIVALENT, adj. Of equal value, or power. L. eequus, equal, and 

valens, part, of valeo, to avail. 
EQUIVOCAL, adj. Capable of being construed in different senses; 

uncertain. L. cequivocus ; aquus, equal, and vox, a voice. 
EQUIVOROUS. adj. Feeding or subsisting on horse-flesh. L. equus, 

a horse, and voro, to eat. 
ERA'DIATE. v. To shoot as rays of light. L. c, from, and radio, to 

beam. 
ERADICATE, v. To pull up by the root; to destroy entirely. L. 

eradico ; e, from, and radix, a root. 
ERA'SE. v. To scrape out; to expunge. L. c, from, and rasum, sup. 

of rado, to scrape. 
ERECT', adj. Upright : directed upwards. L. erectus ; p. part, of 

erigo : e, from, and rego, to rule, or make straight, 

i* 101 



ERE— ESQ 

ER'EMITE. s. A hermit. See HERMIT. 

EREP'TION. s. A taking or snatching away, by force. L. ereptio : 
ereptus, p. part, of eripio : e, from, and rapio, to take by violence. 

ERR. v. To deviate ; to mistake. L. erro, to wander. 

ER'RAND. s. A message ; something to be told or done by a messen- 
ger. L. errans, part, of erro, to wander. 

ERRA'TA. s. Errors. L. pi. of erratum ; from erratus, part, of erro. 
See ERR. 

ERRATTC. adj. Wandering. L. erraticus. See ERR. 

ERRO'NEOUS. adj. Incorrect. L. erroneus. See ERR. 

ERUBES'CENT. adj. Red, or reddish ; blushing. L. erubescens, part, 
of erubesco : rubeo, to be red. 

ERUDI'TION. s. Knowledge obtained by learning. L. eruditio ; 
from eruditus, p. part, of erudio, to instruct; corap. of e, from, and 
rudis, untaught. 

ERUP'TION. s. Ereaking forth ; a cutaneous disease. L. eruptio ; 
eruptus, p. part, of erumpo ; e, from, and rumpo, to break. 

ERYSIP'ELAS. s. An eruption of a hot, acrid humour, chiefly in the 
face. G. erusipelas ; eruo, to draw, and pelas, adjoining ; because, 
the neighbouring parts are drawn closer by the eruption. 

ESCALA'DE. s. Act of scaling the walls of a fortified place. F. esca- 
lade ; from echelle, a ladder. 

ESCHEAT', v. To result back, in consequence of some unforeseen 
contingency, to the lord of the fee. F. escheoir, to happen. 

ESCORT', v. To convoy. F. escorter : L. cohors, a cohort or band of 
soldiers. 

ESCRITOF RE. s. A writing-desk. F. ecritoir, (formerly escritoire ;) 
L. scriptum, sup. of scribo, to write. 

ESCULENT, adj. Eatable. L. esculentus ; esum, sup. of edo, to eat. 

ESCUT'CHEON. The shield on which a coat of arms is represented. 

F. ecvsson : from L. scutum, a shield. 

ESOT'ERIC. adj. Private ; an epithet applied to the private instruc- 
tions and doctrines of Pythagoras ; opposed to exoteric, or public. 

G. esoteros : from eso, within. 

ESPALI'ER. s. A row of trees planted about a garden, or in hedges, 
and trained up to a lattice of wood-work, or stakes. F. from the L. 
palus, a stake or pole. 

ESPE'CIAL, adj. Particular. See SPECIAL. 

ESPIONAGE', s. Act of a spy ; inspection, with a design of informing 
against. F. espionnage. See ESPY. 

ESPLANA'DE. s. In fortification, the glacis of the counterscarp, or 
the sloping of the parapet of the covered way, towards the country ; 
or the void spaces between the glacis of a citadel, and the first houses 
of the town. Spanish, esplanada ; from L. planus, a plane. 

ESPOU'SE. v. To marry ; to abet. F. epouser ; (formerly espouser ;) 
epouse, a wife. 

ESPY', v. To see any thing at a distance ; to discover a thing intend- 
ed to be hidden, &c. F. espier : L. e, from, or out, and specio, to 
behold. 

ESQUIRE', s. The attendant, or armour-bearer, of a knight ; a title 
applied, also, to some of the younger sons of noblemen, and to ma- 
gistrates, military officers, &c. Old F. escuer ; escu, a shield. 

102 



ESS— EVA 

ESSAY', s. To attempt. F. essayer, to attempt. 

ES'SAY. s. An attempt ; a dissertation. See the vero. 

ES'SENCE. s. Physical basis ; essential oil. F. essence : L. essentia, 

the existence : esse, to be. 
ESSENTIAL, adj. Having the essence ; indispensable. L. essentialis. 

See ESSENCE. 
ESTAB'LISH. v. To render stable ; to settle firmly ; to confirm ; to 

found. F. etablir, formerly establir. See STABLE. 
ESTATE, s. Condition of life ; property. F. etat ; (formerly estat ;) 

L. status ; from sto, to stand. 
ESTEEM', s. Regard ; respect. See ESTIMATE. 
ES'TIMATE. v. To rate ; to conjecture. L. cestimo ; ces, money. 
ESTRANGE', v. To withdraw the affections. F. etranger, (formerly, 

estranger ;) L. e, from, and stringo, to draw. 
ESTREAT, v. To extract or take out from the other records, (in the 

case of a recognizance,) for the purpose of putting in suit. See EX- 
TRACT. 
ES'TUARY. s. An arm of the sea ; a frith ; a narrow passage, or the 

mouth of a river or lake, where the tide meets the current, or flows 

and ebbs. L. cestuarium : (Bstuo, to boil or foam. 
ET CETERA. Abbreviated etc. or SfC. And the rest ; and others of 

the same kind. L. et, and, and catera, others. 
E'THER. s. An imaginary air ; a volatile distilled spirit. L. ather : 

G. aither ; ailho, to burn. 
ETH'ICS. s. The doctrine of morality. G. ethike ; ethos, a manner. 
ETH'NIC. adj. Gentile ; neither Jewish nor Christian. G. ethnikos ; 

ethnos, a nation. See GENTILE. 
ETHNOG'RAPHY. s. A treatise upon nations. G. ethnos, a nation, 

and grapho, to write. 
ETIQUETTE, s. Established ceremony or mode, F. etiquette, a 

ticket, upon which the forms of court ceremonies, &c. are written. 
ETYMOL'OGY. s. The derivation of a word from its original ; that 

part of grammar which treats of the different sorts of words and 

their various modifications. L. etymologia : G. etumologia ; etumos, 

true, and logos, a word. 
ETYMON, s. Origin ; primitive word. G. etumon. 
EU'CHARIST. s. The Lord's Supper. G. cucharistia, thanksgiving : 

eu, well, and charis, favour. 
EUDIOM'ETER. s. An instrument, invented by Priestley, for ascer- 
taining the purity of atmospheric air. G. eu, good, dios, air, and 

metron, measure. 
EU'LOGY. s. Praise. G. euhgia ; comp. of eu, good, and logos, a 

word. 
EU'PHONY. s. Agreeable sound. G. euphonia ; eu, well, and phoneo, 

to sound. 
EVACUATE, v. To make empty : to retire from. L. evacuo ; vacuus, 

empty. 
EVA'DE. v. To elude, or avoid. L. evado ; e, from, and vado, to 

march, or move. 
EVANESCENT, adj. Vanishing ; imperceptible. L. evanescens, part 

of evanesco, to disappear : from vanus, empty. 

103 



EVA— EXC 

EVANGELIST, s. A writer of the history cf Christ. L, evangelus : 

G. evangelos ; from ey, good, and angelo, to declare, 
EVAPORATE, v. To ascend in vapour. L. evaporo ; e, from, and 

vapos, vapour, 
EVASION, s. Act of evading ; subterfuge ; equivocation ; shift. L. 

evasio. See EVADE. 
EVENT', s. Occurrence. L. eventus ; e, out of, and ventum, sup, of 

venio, to come. 
EVICT', v. To dispossess by a judicial process. L. evictum, sup. of 

evinco : e, from, and vinco, to conquer. 
EVIDENCE, s. Proof; testimony ; the person who testifies. F. evi- 
dence : L. evidentia. See EVIDENT. 
EVIDENT, adj. Proved; clear. F. evident: L. evident; e, out of, 

and video, to see. 
EVINCE', v. To prove ; to manifest. L. evinco ; e, from, and vinco, to 

conquer. 
EVISCERATE, v. To embowel. L. eviscero ; e, from, and viscera, 

the bowels. 
EVTTABLE. adj. Avoidable ; that may be escaped or shunned. L. 

evitabalis : evito, to shun. 
EV'OCATE. v. To call forth. L. evoco. See EVOKE. 
EVO'KE. v. To call forth. L. evoco: e, from, and voco, to call. 
EVOLA'TION. s. The act of flying away. L. evolo ; e, from, and 

volo, to fly. 
EVOLUTION, s. Act of unfolding ; military field-exercise. L. evolu- 

tus, p. part, of evolvo. See EVOLVE. 
EVOLVE', v. To unfold ; to throw off by chemical effect. L. evolvo ; 

e, from, and volvo, to roll. 
EVUL'SION. s. The act of plucking away. L. evulsio : evulsus, p. 

part, of evello : e, from, and vello, to pluck. 
E'WER. s. A vessel in which water is brought, for washing the hands. 

F. eau, water. 
EXACT', adj. Without defect or omission ; according to rule ; metho- 
dically ; very accurate. F. exacte : L. exactus, p. part, of exigo ; ex, 

out, and ago, to do. 
EXACT', v. To demand as a right ; to require authoritatively ; to en- 
force ; to extort. See the adjective. 
EXAGGERATE, v. To heighten beyond truth. L. exaggero ; ex, 

above, and aggero, to heap: agger, a heap: ad, to, and gero, to 

carry. 
EXANIMATE, adj. Lifeless ; inanimate. L. ex, from, and anima, 

the breath, or soul. • 

EXALT', v. To raise ; to dignify. F. exalter : L. ex, above, and altus, 

high. 
EXAM'PLE. s. A pattern ; a copy ; a model ; precedent. L. exem- 

plum : ex, and similis, like. 
EXASPERATE, v. To enrage. L. exaspero ; ex, above, (meaning in 

a high degree,) and aspero, to make rough : asper, rough. 
EX'CAVATE. tf. To make hollow. L. excavo ; ex, from, and cavo, to 

make hollow. 
EXCEED', v. To go beyond ; to surpass. L. excedo ; ex, from, and 

cedo, to depart. 

104 



EXC-EXE 

EXCEL', v. To be eminent; to surpass. L. excello; ex, from, and 

cello, to lift up. 
EXCEPT', v. To leave out. L. exceptum, sup. of excipio ; ex, out of, 

and capio, to take. 
EXCEKP'TA. s. Extracts. L. excerpta ; from excerptus, part, of ex- 

cerpo ; ex, from, and carpo, to pluck. 
EXCESS', s. More than sufficient ; surplus. L. excessus, p. part, of 

excedo. See EXCEED. 
EXCISE, s. A tax, formerly paid by a part of the article assessed. L. 

excisvs, p. part, of excido. See EXCISION. 
EXCISION, s. Act of cutting out. L. excisio ; from excisus, p. part. 

of excido ; ex, from, and c&do, to lop. 
EXCITE, v. To rouse; to animate; to encourage; to put in motion. 

L. excito; ex, out of, and cito, to call. 
EXCLAIM', v. To call loudly. L. exclamo ; ex, from, and clamo, to 

call. 
EXCLU'DE. v. To shut out ; to debar. L. excludo ; comp. of ex, from, 

and claudo, to shut. 
EXCLU'SION. s. Act of excluding. L. exclusus, p. part, of excludo. 

See EXCLUDE. 
EXCOMMU'NICATE. v. To expel from communion. L. ex, from, 

and communico, to impart, or share with another. 
EXCO'RIATE. v. To strip off the skin. L. ex, from, and corium, a 

skin. 
EXCORTICA'TION. s. Act of stripping off the bark. L. ex, from, 

and cortex, the bark. 
EXCRESCENCE, s. Irregular protuberance. L. excrescens ; part, of 

excresco ; ex, from, and cresco, to grow. 
EXCRUCIATING, adj. Extremely painful. L. excrucio, to torture : 

ex, from, and cruce, abl. of crux, a cross ; alluding to the torments 

of crucifixion. 
EXCUL'PATE. v. To exonerate from a criminal charge. L. ex, from, 

and culpa, blame. 
EXCURSION, s. A ramble out of the prescribed path. L. excursio ; 

ex, from, and curro, to run. 
EXCUSE, v. To disengage from an obligation; to pardon. L. excuso ; 

ex, from, and causa, a cause, or suit at law. 
EXECRATE, v. To curse ; to detest. L. execror, or exsecror ; ex, 

from, and sacrum, a holy rite : meaning, to debar from the benefit 

of religious ceremonies. 
EX'ECUTE. v. To perform ; to put to death. L. executus, part, of 

exequor ; ex, according to [direction,] and sequor, to follow. 
EXECUTIVE, adj. Relating to the power which performs, but does 

not deliberate. See EXECUTE. 
EXEMPLI GRATIA. As an example; for instance; usually ab- 
breviated ex. gr., or e. g. L. 
EXEMPT', adj. Free by privilege. L. exemptus, p. part, of eximo ; 

ex, from, and emo, to purchase. 
EX'EQUIES. s. Funeral rites ; the ceremonies of burial. L. exequies ; 

from exequor, to follow. 
EX'ERCISE. s. Use ; practice ; performance ; exertion ; task. L. 

exercitum ; from exerceo, to exercise : G. ergon, work. 

105 



EXE— EXO 

EXERGUE, s. F. See EXERGUM. 

EXER'GUM. s. The circular space between the work and the edge of 
a coin or medal, on which the inscription is usually placed. G. ex, 
from, and ergon, work. 

EXERT', v. Literally, to thrust forth ; to emit. (An unusual applica- 
tion.) To thrust forth, as strength, force, or ability ; to put into ac- 
tion ; to strive. L. exero : ex, from, and sero, to throw, to thrust. 

EXEUNT OM'NES. Used, in theatrical pieces, to mark the de- 
parture, from the stage, of all the characters. L. omnes, all, exeunt, 
go out : omnis, and cxeo. 

EXFOLIATE, v. To separate in layers. L. ex, from, and folium, a 
leaf. 

EXHA'LE. v. To emit or draw out vapour or fumes. L. exhalo ; ex, 
from, and halo, to breathe. 

EXHAUST', v. To draw away; to fatigue. L. exhaustum, sup. of 
exhavrio ; ex, from, and haurio, to draw. 

EXHIB'IT. v. To display. L. exhibeo ; comp. of ex, from, and habeo, 
to have or hold. 

EXHILARATE, v. To enliven. L. exhMaro. See HILARITY. 

EXHORT', v. To advise from an evil, or to a virtuous action. L. ex- 
hort or ; ex, from, and hortor, to advise. 

EX'HUMATE. v. To raise out of the earth, that which has been 
buried ; to unbury. L. ex, out of, and humus, earth. 

EX'IGENCE, or EXIGENCY, s. Sudden occasion. L. exigens, part, 
of exigo, to drive out : ex, from, and ago, to move. 

EXTLE. s. Banishment, either voluntary or compulsive ; person ba- 
nished. L. exilium ; exilio, to depart hastily : ex, from, and salio, 
to leap. 

EXIST', v. To be ; to have a being. L. existo : ex, out of, and sisto, 
to stand still or continue. 

EX'IT. A term used to mark the time at which a player leaves the 
stag;e ; departure. L. exit, he (or she) goes out : exeo. 

EX-MINISTER, s. One who has been a minister of state. L. ex, out, 
and minister. 

EX'ODUS. s. The second book of Moses, which describes the journey 
of the Israelites from Egypt. G. exodos ; ex, out of, and odos, a way. 

EX OFFI'CIO. By the power of his office. L. ex, according to, 
officio, abl. of qfficium, an office. 

EXONERATE, v. To disburthen; to exculpate. L. exonero ; ex, 
from, and onus, a burthen. 

EX OR ABLE, adj. Possible to be moved or persuaded by entreaty. 
L. exorabilis : ex, from, and oro, to pray. 

EXOR'BITANT. adj. Irregular ; enormous. L. ex, out of, and orbita, 
a track. 

EX'ORCISE. v. To pretend to drive away an evil spirit. G. ex, out 
of, and orkizo, to adjure. 

EXOR'DIUM. s. In oratory, the beginning; the introductory or pre- 
paratory part. L. from ex, and ordior, to begin. 

EXOT'ERIC. adj. External ; public ; opposed to esoteric, or secret. 
The exoteric doctrines of the ancient philosophers, were those which 
were openly professed and taught : the esoteric were secret, or taught 
onlv to a few chosen disciples. G. exoteros, exterior. 

106 



EXO— EXP 

EXOTIC, adj. Foreign. G. exolikos ; exo, out of doors ; abroad. 
EXPAND', v. To-open wide. L. expando ; ex, from, and pando, to open. 
EX-PAR' TE'. On one side only; ex-parte evidence is that testimony, 

which, as before a grand jury, is delivered in the absence of the 

party against whom it is to operate. L. ex, from, parte, abl. of pars, 

a part. 
EXPA'TIATE. v. To enlarge on, in language. L. expatior ; ex, from, 

and paten, to spread out. 
EXPATRIATE, v. To send into exile ; to go into exile. F. expatrier : 

L. ex, from, and patria, a country. 
EXPECT', v. To anticipate, in the mind ; to wait for. L. expecto ; ex, 

from, and specto, to look. 
EXPECTORATE, v. To eject matter from the breast. L. ex, from, 

and pectus, the breast. 
EXPEDIENT, adj. Advantageous; fit. L. expediens, part, ofexpedio. 

See EXPEDITE. 
EXPEDITA'TION. s. The act of cutting off the feet. L. ex, from, 

and pedes, pi. of^es, a foot. 
EXPEDITE, v. To facilitate; to hasten. L. expedio, to free: ex, 

from, and pede, abl. of pes, a foot. 
EXPEL', v. To drive out. L. expello ; comp. of ex, from, and pello, 

to drive. 
EXPEND', v. To spend; to disburse. L. expendo ; ex, from, and 

pendo, to weigh, or pay. 
EXPENSE', s. Expenditure; cost. L. expensum. See EXPEND. 
EXPE'RIENCE. s. Practice. L. experientia. See EXPERT. 
EXPERIMENT, s. Trial. L. experimentum. See EXPERIENCE. 
EXPERT, adj. Skilful ; dexterous. L. expertus, part, of experior : 

ex, from, and perior, to be skilful. 
EX'PIATE. v. To atone for. L. expio; comp. of ex, from, and pio, 

to worship, or purge. 
EXPI'RE. v. To breathe out; to die; to terminate. L. expiro : ex, 

from, and spiro, to breathe. 
EXPLAIN', v. To make plain; to render intelligible. L. explano: 

ex, out, and planus, smooth or even. 
EXPLE'TIVE. s. In grammar, means something inserted, more to 

please the ear, than to illustrate. L. expletivum : expleo, to glut; 

ex, in a superabundant degree, and pleo, to fill. 
EXPLICABLE, adj. Explainable; capable of being made intelligible. 

L. explicabilis : ex, from, and plico, to fold. 
EXPLI'CIT. adj. Emphatically clear; not merely implied. L. explu 

citus, p. part, of explico, to unfold. 
EXPLO'DE. v. To drive out, with open marks of disapprobation ; to 

make a loud noise like ignited gunpowder. L. explodo : ex, from, 

and plaudo, to make a noise by clapping. 
EXPLO'RE. v. To view with care ; to try; to search or pry into; to 

examine closely. L. exploro : ex, out of, and ploro, to cry out, to 

wail, to bawl. 
EXPLO'SION. s. The act of exploding. L. explosio : explosvs, p. 

part, of explodo. See EXPLODE. 
EXPORT', v. To send out of a country, in the way of traffic. L. ex- 

porto : ex, out of, and porto, to carry. 

107 



EXP— EXT 

EXPO'SE. v. To lay open ; to put in danger. F. exposer : L. exposi- 
tvm, sup. of expono : ex, out of, and pono, to place. 

EX POST FACTO. Made or done after the act; retro-active, L. 

EXPOS'TULATE. v. To reason earnestly with a person, on some 
impropriety of his conduct, &c. L. expostulo : ex, from, and postulo, 
to require. 

EXPOUND', v. To explain. L. expono: ex, out of, and pono, to 
place. 

EX-PRESTDENT. s. One who has been a president. L. ex, out, and 
president. 

EXPRESS', v. To press out ; to represent ; to declare. L. expressum, 
sup. ofexprimo: ex, from, and premo, to press. 

EXPRESS', adj. Exactly alike, (as if taken by an impression ;) expli- 
cit ; particularly declared. See the verb. 

EXPRESS', s. An extraordinary messenger. See the verb. 

EXPUG'NABLE. adj. Possible to be taken or subdued by a siege, or 
an assault. L. ex, out of, a.nd pugno, to fight. 

EXPUL'SION. s. Act of expelling. L. expulsio ; from expello. See 
EXPEL. 

EXPUNGE', v. To erase. L. expungo : ex, from, and pungo, to prick. 

EXPUR'GATE. v. To expunge ; to purge away. L. expurgo : ex, 
from, and purgo, to cleanse. 

EX'QUISITE. adj. Consummate; excellent. L. exquisitus, p. part. 
of exquiro, searched out; ex, out of, and qucero, to seek. 

EXSCIND', v. To cut from. L. ex, from, and scindo, to cut. 

EXSICCATE, v. To dry. L. exsicco, to dry. 

EX'TANT. adj. Before the public; now existing. L. exstans, part. 
of exsto, to stand out: ex, from, and sto, to stand. 

EX'TASY, or ECSTACY. s. Any emotion, by which the thoughts 
are absorbed, and in which the mind is for a time lost; excessive 
joy, or excessive grief. F. extase : G. ekstasis ; from ek, out, and 
stasis, part, ofistemi, to stand. 

EXTEM'PORE. adj. Without preparation. L. ex, from, and tempore, 
abl. oi'tempus, time ; meaning the present time. 

EXTEND', v. To reach (with to ;) to enlarge. L. extendo ; comp. of 
ex, from, and tendo, to stretch. 

EXTEN'UATE. v. To lessen ; to palliate. L. extenvo : ex, from, and 
tenuis, thin, or small. 

EXTERIOR, adj. Outward. L. exterior, compar. deg. of extra, with- 
out: pos. extra; compar. exterior; sup. extremus. 

EXTER'MINATE. v. To destroy. L. extermino : ex, out of, and ter- 
mino, to end : terminus, a boundary. 

EXTER'NAL. adj. Outward; foreign. L. externus : exter, foreign : 
comp. of ex, out of, and terra, a territory. 

EXTINCT', adj. Extinguished ; abolished. L. extinctus, p. part, of 
exiinguo, to extinguish. 

EXTINGUISH, v. To quench ; to destroy. L. extinguo, to extin- 
guish. 

EXTIR'PATE. v. To take out the stem or stalk ; to eradicate ; to de- 
stroy. L. extirpo : ex, from, and slirps, a stem. 

EXTOL', v. To praise highly. L. extollo : ex, from, and tollo, to 
lift up. 

108 



EXT— FAC 

EXTORT', v. To obtain by force, or by the passion of avarice. L. 

extortum, sup. of extorqueo : ex, from, and torqueo, to twist. 
EXTRA, adj. Additional. L. extra, besides. 
EXTRACT', v. To draw from ; to take out a part. L. extractum, 

sup. of extralio ; comp. of ex, from, and traho, to draw. 
EXTRAJUDICIAL, adj. Out of the regular course of legal procedure. 

L. extra, beyond, and judicial. 
EXTRANEOUS, adj. Foreign; of a different kind. L. extraneus : 

ex, out of, and terra, the land. 
EXTRAORDINARY, adj. Uncommon ; unusual ; eminent. L. 

extraor dinar ius ; extra, beyond, and ordinarius, ordinary: ordo, a 

rule. 
EXTRAVAGANT, adj. Irregular ; wild ; prodigal. L. extravagans : 

extra, beyond, and vagor, to wander. 
EXTREME, adj. Greatest ; utmost. L. extremus, superl. of extra, 

beyond. 
EX'TRICATE. v. To disentangle. L. extrico : ex, out of, and trices, 

hairs wrapped round the feet of fowls, to hinder them from es- 
caping. 
EXTRU'DE. v. To thrust out; to push off with violence. L. exlrudo : 

ex, out, or from, and trudo, to thrust. 
EXTRU'SION. s. Act of extruding. L. extrusus, p. part, of extrudo. 

See EXTRUDE. 
EXU'BERANT. adj. Overabundant. L. exuberans, part, of exubero : 

extra, beyond, and uber, plentiful. 
EXU'DE. v. To issue in sweat. L. exudo : ex, out of, and sudo, to 

sweat. 
EXULT', v. To rejoice greatly. L. exulto ; comp. of ex, from, [the 

ground,] and salto, to dance, or leap. 
EXU'VLE. s. Cast skins, shells, or coverings of animals; any parts 

of animals which are shed or cast off. L. from exuo, to throw off, 

to strip. 

F. 

FA'BLE. s. A fictitious story, written for amusement. L. fabula ; 

for, to speak, or tell. 
FABRIC, s. Something made. L. fabrica : faber, a workman. 
FAB'RICATE. v. To construct; to invent. L.fabrico. See FABRIC. 
FAB'ULOUS. adj. Fictitious; false. L. fabulosus. See FABLE. 
FACA'DE. s. Front, (pronounced fasad', or fasa'de.) F.fagade, the 

front: L. fades, the face. 
FACE. s. In a general sense, the surface of a thing, or the side which 

presents itself to the view of a spectator; as the face of the earth; 

the face of the water. L. fades ; from facio, to make. 
FACETIOUS, adj. Witty. L.facetice, raillery. 
FACILITATE, v. To make easy. L.facilis, easy : facio, to do, or 

cause. 
FAC SIMTLE. s. An imitation, as nearly resembling the original as 

possible. L. factum, a thing done, and simile, neuter of similis, like: 

the word factum has been here abbreviated to fac. 
FACT. s. A thing done ; reality. L. factum ; facio, to do. 

K 109 



FAC— FAS 

FACTION, s. A party, active in opposing another. L. factio : facio, 

to do. 
FACTI'TIOUS. adj. Made by art, in distinction to what is produced 

by nature ; artificial. L. factitius : facio, to make. 
FACTOR, s. An agent, employed to buy or sell for another. L. fac- 
tor ; from facio, to do, or make. 
FACTORY, s. A house, or district, inhabited by the foreign traders 

of a particular nation, in. a distant country ; the traders themselves : 

a manufactory. See FACTOR. 
FACULTY, s. Power derived from nature; learned professors. L. 

facultas : facio, to do, or make. 
FACUN'DITY. s. Eloquence ; readiness of speech. L. facundilas, 

probably from L. for, to speak, and undo, to flow. 
FAIR. s. An annual or other stated meeting of buyers and sellers. 

F. faire, to do. 

FAITH, s. Belief; assent of the mind; fidelity, confidence ; promise 

given ; sincerity ; honesty. h.Jides: Jido, to trust. 
FAL'LACY. s. Deceit; untruth. L. fallacia : j alio, to slip or slide; 

to deceive. 
FAL/LIBLE. adj. Liable to error, or to failure. ~L.fallo, to slip. 
FALSE, adj. Not morally true; not physically true ; perfidious; not 

real, h.falsus, p. part, offallo, to slip, or deceive. 
FAL'TER. v. To hesitate ; to stammer ; to fail, tremble, or yield in 

exertion. L./aZZo. See FAULT. 
FAME. s. Rumour; report; celebrity ; renown, h.fama: G. phama ; 

phemi, to speak. 
FAMILIAR, adj. Domestic ; affable ; unceremonious ; well-known ; 

too nearly acquainted. L. fa miliar is : familia, a family. 
FAMTNE. s. Distressful scarcity of food. F. famine: L. fames, 

hunger. 
FAMTSH. v. To starve. Ti. fames, hunger. 

FA'MOUS. adj. Renowned. L. famosus : fama, report. See FAME. 
FANATTC. adj. Wild and extravagant in opinions, particularly in 

religious opinions ; excessively enthusiastic. L. fanaticus ; from the 

G. phainomai, to appear. 

FANCY, s. Imagination ; caprice ; liking. This is a contraction of 
phantasy. See FANTASM. 

FAN'TASM. s. Something which appears real, but is only in the ima- 
gination. G. phantasma, an apparition : phaino, to appear. 

FANTAS'TIC. adj. Irrational ; whimsical. F.fantastique. See FAN- 
TASM. 

FARCE.s. A dramatic afterpiece, of a ludicrous kind. F.farcir: L. 
farcio, to fill up, or stuff. 

FARINACEOUS, adj. Mealy. L. farina, meal. 

FARRA'GO. s. A rude or confuted mixture. L. farrago : far, all 
kinds of corn. 

FAR'RIER. s. A horse-doctor, (a profession usually followed by horse- 
shoers.) F. ferrier : L. ferrarius, belonging to iron : ferrum, 
iron. 

FAS'CES. s. Rods, with an axe bound up in the middle, anciently 
carried before the Roman consuls. L. fasces, pi. of fascis, a bundle 
of twigs. 

* 110 



FAS— FEL 

FAS'CINATE. v. To influence, as if by supernatural power ; to de- 
light highly, h.fascino, to bewitch. 

FAS'CINE. s. The military name of a fagot : fascines are used gene- 
rally for filling up a ditch. F. fascine : L.fascis, a bundle of twigs. 

FASH'ION. s. Form ; make ; manner ; general practice. F. facon : 
from the L./acio, to make. 

FASTI DTOUS. adj. Disdainful ; overdelicate ; disagreeably method- 
ical. L. fastidious ; from fastidium, pride, reluctance. 

FATE. s. Destiny ; event predetermined. L. fatum : fatus, p. part. 
of for, to speak; — alluding to the responses of the ancient oracles. 

FATUT TY. s. Foolishness ; weakness of mind. F. fatuite : L. fa- 
tuus, silly. 

FAULT, s. Offence; slight crime; defect; difficulty. Y.faute: L. 
falsus, p. part, of fallo, to slip, or deceive. 

FAUN. s. A kind of rural deity. Faunus, (a son of Picus, an Italian 
king,) whose attachment to agriculture induced his subjects to revere 
him, after his death, as one of their country deities. See the heathen 
mythology. 

FAUX PAS. A false step; a deviation from rectitude. F. faux, 
false, and pas, a step. 

FEALTY, s. Duty or fidelity to a superior lord ; loyalty. F. fide- 
lite: L. fidelitas : fides, faith. 

FEASIBLE, adj. Practicable. Y.faisible: faire, to do. 

FEAST, s. An anniversary day of rejoicing; an entertainment of the 
table, &c. Jj.fastus, lucky, lawful : from fas, piety, justice, right. 

FEAT. s. Act; deed; exploit. F. fait, part, of faire, to do : h.facio. 

FEA'TURE. 5. The make, form, or cast of any part of the face ; any 
single lineament; outline; prominent part. L. factura, a making; 
from facio, to make. 

FEB'RIFUGJE. s. A medicine serviceable in a fever. L. fehris, a fe- 
ver, and fugo, to drive away. 

FEBRILE, adj. Relating to fever. L. f chilis : fehris, a fever. 

FEB'RUARY. s. The second month. L. Februarius. The luperca- 
lia, says Plutarch, appears to have been a feast of purification, being 
solemnized on the dies nefasti, or non-court days of the month of 
February, which derives its name from februo, to purify ; and the 
very day of the celebration was anciently called Februaca. 

FECULENT, adj. Foul ; excrementitious. L. fceculentus ; from f<B- 
cula, small dregs ; fcex, dregs. 

FECUNDITY, s. Fruitfulness. L.fcecunditas, fruitfulness. 

FED'ERAL. adj. Relating to a contract; united. ~L.fasdus, a league. 

FED'ERALIST. s. Originally meant an American citizen who voted 
for the new federal constitution of the United States : — since the be- 
ginning of the French war, in 1792, it has had no relative meaning ; 
but, like the term democrat, is used only to serve the interested views 
of a parly. See FEDERAL. 

FEIGN, v. To invent; to pretend. F.feindre: ~L.fi.ngo, to make or 
frame. 

FELI'CITATE. v. To congratulate. L. felicito : felicitas, happiness; 
felix, happy. 

FELINE, adj. Resembling, or pertaining to, a cat. L.felinus : felis, 
a cat. 

Ill 



FEL— FIE 

FE'LO DE SE'. A person of sound mind who commits suicide. L. 

felo, a felon, de, of, se, himself. 
FEMALE, s. Amongst animals, one of that sex which conceives and 

brings forth young. F.femclle. See FEMININE. 
FEMININE, adj. Relating or belonging to a female. L. femininus : 

femina, a woman. 
FEMME COV'ERTE. In law, signifies a woman covered or pro- 

tected, by marriage, from the payment of debt, and, in some cases, 

from criminal prosecution. F.femme, a woman, couverte, covered. 
FEMME SOLE. A spinster ; an unmarried woman. F. femme, a 

woman, and old F. sole, alone. 
FEND. v. To keep off; to guard. From Defend. 
FENES'TRAL. adj. Pertaining to a window. L. fenestralis : fenestra, 

a window. 
FERJE NATU'RjE. Of a wild nature; unreclaimed :— usually ap- 
plied to animals not domesticated. L. 
FERMENT', v. To exalt or rarefy, by internal motion of parts ; to 

have the parts put into intestine motion. L. fermento : ferveo, to 

grow hot. 
FEROCIOUS, adj. Fierce. L. ferocis, gen. of ferox, fierce. 
FERRUGINOUS, adj. Partaking of the particles and the quality of 

iron. L. ferrugineus : com p. of ferrum, iron, and genus, a sort. 
FER'TILE. adj. Fruitful. L. fertilis : fero, to bear, or produce. 
FERVENT, adj. Hot; ardent. L. fervens, part, of ferveo, to boil. 
FER'VID. adj. Hot ; vehement ; zealous. L. fervidus : ferveo, to 

boil. 
FER'ULE. s. A little wooden pallet or slice, used to punish children 

in school. Under the Eastern Empire, the ferula was the emperor's 

sceptre. L. fervla ; from ferio, to strike. 
FES'TIVAL. s. A feast, or the period of a feast. L. festivus. See 

FEAST. 
FETE CHAMPE'TRE. An entertainment, given in the country, in 

the open air. F. fete, a feast, and champ etre, rural. 
FETID, adj. Rancid ; having an offensive smell. L. foetidus : fosteo, 

to have an ill scent. 
FE'VER. s. A disease, characterized by an increase of heat, &c. ; 

heat; agitation; excitement. F. Jievre ; h.febris: from ferveo, to 

be hot. 
FI'AT. s. In law, a writ containing a peremptory order. L. fiat, let 

it be done ; from fio. 
FIB. s. A lie ; a falsehood. L. fabula, a fable. 
FICTION, s. Invention; falsehood. L. fictio : from fictus, p. part, 

of Jingo, to frame. 
FICTITIOUS, adj. Counterfeit ; not real. L. fictitius. See FIC- 
TION. 
FIDELTTY. s. Faithful adherence ; honesty. L. fidelitas : fides, 

faith, or truth. 
FIDU'CIARY. adj. Given in trust ; confiding ; undoubting. L. fidu- 

ciarius : fides, faith. 
FIERCE, adj. Savage ; ravenous ; easily enraged ; passionate ; vio- 
lent ; furious. F. fier ; L. ferus, ferox, wild, savage, cruel. 

112 



FIE—FLA 

FIERI FACIAS. A judicial writ, directing a sheriff to levy the 

amount of a debt, or of damages recovered. L. facias, you must 

cause it, fieri, to be made : facio, and Jio. 
FIG'MENT. s. A fiction* L. figmentum : Jingo, to frame. 
FIG'URE. s. Form ; an image ; a character denoting a number ; a 

trope, L, Jigura ; from Jingo, to shape, or frame. 
FILAMENT, s. A body, long and slender, like a thread. L, Jila* 

menta i filum, a thread. 
FIL'IAL. adj. Regarding a child, in relation to its parents. F. filial : 

L. Jilius, a child. 
FIL'IATE. v. To acknowledge as a son j to adopt as one's child. L. 

Jilius, a son, or child. 
FILLE DE CHAM'BRE. s. A chamber-maid. F. 
FILLE DE JO IE. s. A prostitute. Y.Jille, a daughter, de, of,joie, 

pleasure. 
FIL'LET. s. A little band, to tie about the hair of the head ; meat 

rolled together, and tied round. F. Jilet : L, Jilum, a thread. 
FIL'LY. s. A. young mare. F. Jille : L. Jilia, a daughter. 
FIL'TER. v. To purify by straining. Low L. Jiltro : comp. of Jilum, 

a thread, and traho, to draw ; referring to the original mode of filter-. 

in?, by suspended threads. 
FI'NAL. adj. Last ; conclusive. L. Jinalis : from finis, the end. 
FINANCE', s. Revenue. F.Jinance : L. Jinio, to accomplish. 
FINE. s. A fine, in law, is an amicable composition or agreement of 

a suit, by leave of the court; and is so called because it puts an end 

to the suit. L. Jinis, an end, 
FINESSE', s. A species of artifice, in which art and cunning are em- 
ployed. F. finesse : from Jin, fine ; that is, small, subtle. 
FINISH, v. To terminate; to complete ; to make perfect, Y.finir; 

L. Jinio : from finis, an end. 
FINITE, adj. Limited. L. Jinitus : finis, an end. 
FIS'CAL. adj. Relating to the public revenue. F. fiscal : L. fiscus, 

a treasury : G. phiskos, a basket. 
FIS'SILE. adj. Having the laminae, or grain, in a direction to admit 

of being cleft. L. Jissilis. See FISSURE. 
FIS'SURE. s. A cleft. L. Jissura : from fissus, p, part, offindo, to 

cleave. 
FIS'TULA. s. A sinuous ulcer. L. fistula, a pipe. 
FIX. v. To fasten ; to settle. L. fix win, sup. of figo, to fasten. 
FLACCID, adj. Limber; soft, L. Jlaccidus : fiacceo, to wither. 
FL AGELLA'TION. s. Use of the scourge ; a flogging. L. Jlagellum., 

a scourge. 
FLAGI'TIOUS. adj. Atrocious. L. fiagitius. See FLAGRANT. 
FLA'GRANT. adj. Sometimes means flushed, but commonly, noto- 
rious, or atrocious. L. fiagrans, part, of Jiagro, to be on fire. 
FLAMBEAU, s. A torch. F. Jiambeau: cornp. of Jlamme, flame, 

and beau, handsome. 
FLAiME. s. Light emitted from fire. L. Jlamma : G. phlegmo, to 

burn. 
FLAM'MABLE. adj. Capable of being set on fire. See FLAME. 
FLAN'NEL. s, A soft, nappy woollen cloth, of loose texture. T.Jlan* 

elle : L. lana, wool. 

k* 113 



FLA— FOR 

FLATULENT, adj. Windy. L. flatulentus : flatus, a puff; flatus, 
p. part, offlo, to blow. 

FLEXIBLE, adj. Possible to be bent; pliant. L. flexibilis : flexus, 
p. part, of fleclo, to bend. 

FLOCK, s, A company, usually a company of birds or beasts. L. 
fluctus, p. part, of fluo, to flow. 

FLORID, adj. Bright in colour ; flushed with red; embellished. L. 
floridus ; from floris, gen. of flos, a flower. 

FLORIST, s. A cultivator* of flowers; a maker or vender of artifi- 
cial flowers. L. floris, gen. of flos, a flower. 

FLOUR'ISH. v. To have vigour ; to boast. L. floreo ; floris, gen. of 
flos, a flower. 

FLU' ATE. s. A weak salt, which, by means of strong sulphuric acid, 
yields a vapour, and when condensed forms liquid fluoric acid. L. 
fluo, to flow. 

FLUCTUATE, v. To flow backwards and forwards; to vary often. 
L. fluctuo : fluctus, a wave : fluo, to flow. 

FLUE. s. A passage for smoke. L. fluo, to flow, or pass away. 

FLU'ENT. adj. Flowing; having a ready command of words. L. 
fluens, part, of fluo, to flow. 

FLUID, adj. Liquid. L. fluidus : fluo, to flow. 

FLUTE, s. A tubated musical instrument. F. flute : L. fluto, to flow 
gently : fluo, to flow. 

FLU'TED. adj. Resembling the shape of a flute. See FLUTE. 

FLUVIATTC. adj. Belonging to rivers. L. fluviaticus : fluvius, a 
river ; from fluo, to flow. 

FLUX. s. Act of flowing; thing which flows ; dysentery. L. fluxus : 
from fluo, to flow. 

FLUXTONS. s. A species of arithmetic, invented by Newton. L. 
fluxio, a flowing. 

FO'CUS. s. The point where the rays of heat are collected by a burn- 
ing-glass ; a certain point in the axis of a curve. L. focus, a fire- 
hearth, or the fire. 

FOI'BLE. s. A weak side ; a failing. F. foible, weak. 

FO'LIAGE. s. Leaves. F. feuillage : L. folium, a leaf. 

FO'LIATE. v. To put forth leaves ; to beat into laminas or leaves, as 
in beating gold. L. foliatus, having leaves : folium, a leaf. 

FO'LIO. s. A book, the leaves of which are formed of sheets of paper 
once doubled. L. abl. of folium, a leaf. 

FOMENT', v. To cherish with heat ; to bathe with warm lotions ; (in 
an evil sense) to encourage. L. fomentor : from foveo, to keep 
warm. 

FONT. s. A large bason or stone vessel, in which water is contained, 
for baptizing children or other persons, in a church. L. fons, a foun- 
tain : fundo, to pour out. 

FONT. s. A complete assortment of printing types, of one size. F. 
fonte ; from fondre, to melt or cast ; L. fundo, to pour out. 

FOR' AGE. v. To go out in search of provisions. F. fourrager : four- 
rage, fodder : fourrer, to stuff in. 

FORCE, s. Strength ; active power. F. force : L. fors, strength. 

FOR'CEPS. s. Surgical tongs. L. forceps, a pair of tongs. 



FOR— FRA 

FOR'EIGN. adj. Not of this country ; not allied ; without relation. 

F. forain : L. foris, abroad. 
FOREN'SIC. adj. Belonging, or appropriate to, a court of judicature. 

L. forensis. See FORUM. 
FORGE, v. To form by hammering ; to imitate, F. forger, to ham- 

mer. 
FOR'FEIT. s. Something lost by the commission of a crime, and 

thereby gone away, or departed from the owner ; a fine. F. forfait : 

L. foris, abroad, and f actus, part, of Jio, to be made, or become. 
FOR'MIDABLE. adj. Apt to excite fear ; terrible; tremendous. L. 

formidabilis : formido, fear. 
FOR'MULA. s. A prescribed order. L. formula : forma, a form. 
FORT. s. A fortified place ; usually a small fortified place. F. fort ; 

L. fortis, strong. 
FOR'TIFY. v. To strengthen. F. fortifier : L. fortis, strong, and 

facto, to make. 
FOR' TITER IN RE. With promptness and determination in the 

execution of an affair. L. ; an expression opposed to suaviter in 

modo. 
FOR'TITUDE. s. Bravery in resisting, or in suffering. L. fortitudo : 

from fortis, hardy, strong. 
FOR'TRESS. s. A fortified building. F. fortresse : L. fortis, strong. 
FORTUITOUS, adj. Accidental. L. fortuities : fortis, gen. of for » 

chance, and itus, the act of going. 
FOR'TUNATE. adj. Lucky ; successful. L. forlunatus : fortuna, 

fortune. 
FO'RUM. s. The market-place of Rome, where great judicial causes 

were tried. L. forum, a market-place. 
FOSSE, s. A military ditch. F. fosse : L. fossa : fossus, p. part, of 

fodio, to dig. 
FOS'SIL. s. Something dug out of the earth. L. fossilis. See 

FOSSE. 
FOUND, v. To originate, as a town or a colony. ~L.fundo, (funddre,) 

to lay the groundwork : fundus, land. 
FOUND, v. To cast, as at a foundry. L. fundo, (fundere,) to pour 

out. 
FOUND A'TION. s. The basis or lower part of an edifice ; the prin- 
ciple or ground upon which any notion is raised. F. fondation. See 

FOUND, to originate. 
FOUN'DER. v. To cause such a soreness and tenderness in a horse's 

feet, that he is unable to set them to the ground ; to sink to the bot- 
tom. F. fondre : L. fundere (infin. of fundo) to pour out, or throw 

down. 
FOUND'RY. s. A place where articles are formed of melted metals. 

See FOUND, to cast. 
FOUNTAIN, s. A visible spring; a spout of water; origin; first 

cause. F. fontaine : L. fons : from fundo, to pour out. 
FRACTION, s. An arithmetical part of an integer. L.fractio: frac- 

tus, p. part, of frango, to break. 
FRACTURE, s. Breach ; separation of a bone. L. fractura. See 

FRACTION. 

115 



* FRA— FUE 

FRAGILE, adj. Easily broken ; uncertain. L. fragilis : frango, to 

break. 
FRAG'MENT. s. A part broken off; an imperfect part, L. frag. 

menlum : from frango, to break. 
FRA'GRANT. adj. Sweet-smelling. L, fragrans, part of fragro, to 

smeil sweetly : fragum, a strawberry, 
FRAIL, adj. Weak ; decaying easily ; easily destroyed ; weak of re- 
solution. F. frele : L. fragilis. See FRAGILE. 
FRANCHISE, s. Privilege. F. 

FRAN'GIBLE. adj. Easily broken. L. frango, to break. 
FR AN'TIC. adj. Mad ; outrageously mad. (Corrupted from phrenetic.) 
FRATER'NAL. adj. Brotherly; relating to brothers. F.fralernel; 

L. f rater, a brother. 
FRATRICIDE, s. Murder of a brother. L. fratricidium : f rater, a 

brother, and c&do, to kill. 
FRAUD, s. Deceit; dishonesty. F. fraude : L. fraudis, gen. of fraus, 

deceit. 
FRAY. s. See AFFRAY. 
FRENETIC, adj. Originally, Phrenetic. Mad ; distracted. G. phre- 

netikos. See FRENZY. 
FRENZY, s. Temporary madness ; mental distraction. G. phrenetis, 

madness ; (from phren, the mind) whence, phrenetisy — phrenetsy — 

phrenzy — frenzy. 
FRIABLE, adj. Easily reduced to powder. F. friaole : L. friabilis : 

frid, to crumble. 
FRIAR, s. A brother of some religious order. F. frere : L. f rater, a 

brother. 
FRICTION, s. The act of rubbing. L. frictio : frico, to rub. 
FRIGID, adj. Cold; unfeeling; stiff; formal; lifeless. L. frigidus ; 

from frigeo, to be or grow cold : rigeo, to be stiff or frozen. 
FRIGORIF'IC. adj. Producing cold; or, in chemical language, de- 
priving of heat. L. frigorijicus : comp. of fr igor, cold, and facio, 

to make. 
FRISEUR'. s. A hairdresser. F. friseur : friser, to curl. 
FRIT'TER. v. To cut small ; to destroy gradually. F. friture, a piece 

of meat cut small : L. frictus, p. part, of frico, to rub. 
FRIVOLOUS, adj. Slight; trifling; trivial. L. frivolus : frio, to 

break into small pieces. 
FRONT, s. The face: the forepart of any thing. F. front: L. frons, 

the forehead. 
FRONTAL, adj. Relating to the forehead. F. frontal. See FRONT. 
FRUCTIFY, v. To make fruitful. F. fructijier : L. fructus, fruit, 

and facio, to make. 
FRU'GAL. adj. Sparing ; economical. L. frugalis : from frugcs, fruit, 

or corn : meaning, careful of provisions. 
FRUIT, s. That part of a plant which is taken for food ; produce ; 

effect, &c. L. fructus: fructus, part, offruor, to enjoy, to take the 

profit of. 
FRUI'TION. adj. Enjoyment of what one possesses. ~L. fruitus, part. 

offruor, to enjoy. The miser has possession, but not fruition. 
FRUSTRATE, v. To defeat. L.frustro, to disappoint. 
FU'EL. s. Material for burning. F.feu, fire. 

116 



FUG— GAL 

FUGA'CTTY. s. Volatility ; quality of flying away ; a term used by 
chemists. ~L.fugacis,gen.offugax. See FUGITIVE. 

FUGITIVE, adj. Escaping ; unstable ; volative. L. fugitivus: fugio, 
to flee or escape. 

FUGITIVE, s. One who runs from his station or duty. See the ad- 
jective. 

FUGUE, s. In music, a chase or succession in the parts ; that which 
expresses the capital thought or sentiment of the piece, in causing it 
to pass, successively and alternately, from one part to another. F. 
fvgue ; from the L. fugo, to chase. 

FUL'CRUM. s. That on which a lever rests and moves. L. fulcrum: 
fulcio, to prop. 

FULI'GINOUS, adj. Sooty; smoky. L. fuliginosus : fuligo, soot. 

FUL'MINATE. v. To make a loud crack ; to issue ecclesiastical cen- 
sure. ~L.fulm.ino; from fulmen, thunder. 

FUME. s. Smoke; vapour. L. fumus, smoke. 

FUMIGATE, v. To fill with smoke or vapour. See FUME. 

FUNCTION, s. Performance; employment. L. funclio : functus, 
part, offungor, to execute. 

FUND. s. A stock or capital ; money lent to government, constituting 
a national debt, used in the pi. as the public funds. F. fond : L. 
fundus, ground, bottom, foundation. 

FUNDAMENTAL, adj. Relating to the foundation or origin ; essen- 
tial. L. fundamentalis : fundamentum, a foundation; fundo, to 
found. 

FUNG'OUS. adj. Excrescent. L. fungus, a mushroom. 

FUNERAL, s. The solemnity which attends the consignment of a 
body to the grave. L. funeris, gen. offunus, a funeral : from funis, 
a cord ; because lighted cords or torches were carried, by the Ro- 
mans, before the bodies which were interred by night. 

FUR'TIVE. adj. Stolen. L.furtivus: fur, a thief. 

FUSE. v. To melt. ~L.fusum, sup. of fundo, to pour out. 

FUSE. s. A small pipe, inserted in a bomb-shell, through which the 
exploding fire passes. Y.fuseau, a spindle. 

FUSIBLE, adj. Capable of being melted. See the verb FUSE. 

FUTILE, adj. Of no effect. L. futilis : futio, to pour out. 

FU'TURE. adj. Relating to time to come. Ju.futurus, about to be: 
part, of the irreg. v. sum, I am. 

G. 

GAIN. s. Profit, advantage, interest. F. gain ; from gagne, to ac- 
quire : L. gigno, to beget. 

GAL' AX Y. s. A stream of light in the sky, called the milky way. G. 
galaxia : galaxias ; from gala, milk. See the heathen mythology. 

GAL'EATED. adj. Covered as with a helmet. L. galeatus : galea, 
a helmet. 

GAL'LICISM. s. A mode of speech peculiar to the French language. 

F. gallicisme : L. Gallia, the ancient name of France. 
GALLINA'CEOUS. adj. Denoting birds of the pheasant kind. L. 

gallinaceus : gallina, a hen. 

117 



GAN-GEN 

GAN'GRENE. s. A cancerous sore. L. gangrcena : G. gangraina t 
graino, to feed upon ; meaning, to destroy. 

GAR'GLE. v. To wash the throat. F. gargouiller : G. gargareon, 
the throat. 

GARNISH, v. To adorn; to decorate with appendages; to furnish. 
F. garnir, to adorn or furnish. 

GAR'RISON. s. The soldiers of a fortified town or castle; the town 
or castle having defenders. F. garnison : garnir, to furnish. 

GAR'RULOUS. adj. Talkative. L. garrulus ; from garrio, to prate. 

GASCONA'DE. s. A boast ; a bravado. F. from Gascon, an inhabit- 
ant of Gascony, in France ; a province remarkable for boasting. 

GASOM'ETER. s. In chemistry, an instrument or apparatus, intended 
to measure, collect, preserve, or mix different gases. Gas, and G. 
melron, measure. 

GASTRIC, adj. Relating to the stomach. G. gaster, the belly, or 
stomach. 

GELATINOUS, adj. Of the nature of jelly. L. gelatus, p. part, of 
gelo, to freeze : gelu, frost. 

GEL'ID. adj. Extremely cold ; frozen. L. gelidus : gelu, frost. 

GEM. s. A jewel. L. gemma, a jewel. 

GEMTNI. s. A sign of the zodiac, represented by figures of the twin 
brothers, Castor and Pollux. L. gemini, twins. 

GEN'DER. s. A natural sex ; a grammatical sex. F. gendre : L. 
generis, genitive of: genus, a kind. 

GENEAL OGY. s. History of the succession of families. G. genea- 
logia : genea, a generation, and logos, a description. 

GENERA, s. Classes. See GENUS. 

GENERAL, s The totality; the main, without descending to parti- 
culars : — adj. comprehending many species or individuals ; not re- 
strained by narrow or distinctive limitations ; public ; common. F. 
general: L. generalis ; from generis, gen. of genus, a kind. 

GENERATE, s. To beget; to produce. L. genero: genus, a race. 

GENERTC. adj. Relating to a genus or class. F. generique : L. ge- 
neris, genitive of genus, a race. 

GEN'EROUS. adj. The primary meaning of this word, " of high birth" 
or "good extraction," is long since obsolete. It now signifies noble- 
minded, open-hearted, liberal ; — when applied to animals, faithful, 
courageous; — when applied to wines, soils, &c, strong, rich, nutri- 
tive. F. genereux : L. generosus, noble : from generis, gen. of genus > 
a race. 

GEN'ESIS. s. The first book of Moses, which describes the creation 
of the world and the lives of the first patriarchs. G. genesis : from 
genea, a generation. -V 

GE'NIAL. adj. Contributing to propagation ; natural. L. genialis : 
genus, a race. 

GEN'ITALS. s. The members of generation. L. genitalis. See 
GENIAL. 

GENTTTVE. adj. A case in grammar, called by the Latins, genitivus : 
from gigno, to beget, because, it, in a manner, generates other cases 
depending on it, and is chiefly used in the formation of compounded 
words. 

GE'NIUS. s. The protecting or ruling power of men, places, or things ; 



GEN— GLA 

mental power or faculties ; a man endowed with superior faculties. 

It appears that by the word genius, the ancients denoted a quality, 

a. generative power. L. from the root of gigno : G. gennao, to beget. 
GENTEEL', adj. Polite ; graceful ; fashionable. F. gentil : L. gen- 

tilis, of the same family, or one to whom the estate would descend : 

from gentis, gen. of gens, a nation, or family. 
GENTILE, s. A term applied, by the Israelites and Christians, to 

distinguish a foreigner, or one who knew not the true God. L. gen- 

tilis ; from gentis, gen. of gens, a nation. 
GENTLE, adj. Formerly meant well-born; hence, the term gentle- 
man; but it now signifies mild. See GENTEEL. 
GENUFLEXION, s. The act of bending the knee. L. genu, a knee, 

and Jlectio, or flexio, a bending; from jtecto, to bend. 
GENUINE, adj. Not spurious ; unmixed ; natural. L. genuinus ; 

from genus, a kindred, or sort. 
GE'NUS. s. In science, a class, comprehending many species. L. 

genus, a race, or sort : pi. genera, from geno, to beget. 
GEOCENTRIC, adj. Applied to a planet or orb having the earth for 

its centre, or the same centre with the earth. G. ge, the earth, and 

L. centrum, the centre. 
GEOGRAPHY, s. Description of the earth, according to its natural 

or political divisions. G. ge, the earth, and graplio, to describe. 
GEOL'OGY. s. The doctrine of the formation and composition of the 

earth. G. ge, the earth, and logos, a word or description. 
GEOM'ETRY. s. Originally signified the art of measuring the earth, 

or certain divisions of it; but it is now used for the science of quan- 
tity or extension, abstractedly, without any regard to matter. G. 

geomelria : comp. of ge, the earth, and metreo, to measure. 
GEOR'GIC. adj. Relating to the culture of land, as treated by Virgil. 

L. georgicus : G. georgikon : ge, the earth, and ergon, work. 
GER'MAN. adj. A cousin-german, is one related to another by con. 

sanguinity, or blood, not by affinity, or marriage. L. germanus : 

germen, a sprout. 
GER'MINATE. v. To sprout. L. germino: germen, a branch, or 

bud. 
GESTATION, s. The act of carrying the young before birth. L. 

gestatio ; from gestus, p. part, of gero, to carry. 
GESTICULATION, s. Various artificial gestures. L. gesticulatio. 

See GESTURE. 
GES'TURE. s. Expressive motion and carriage of the body. L. ges- 
tus : gero, to carry. 
GI'ANT. s. A man of size above the ordinary rate. L. gigantis, gen. 

of gigas, a giant : G. gigas ; comp. of ge, the earth, and gao, to be 

born. See the heathen mythology. 
GIB'BOUS. adj. Convex ; protuberant. L. gibbus : G. kuphos : kupto, 

to bend. 
GIGANTIC, adj. Of very large stature. L. gigantis, gen. of gigas, 

a giant. 
GLACIERS, s. Huge masses of mountain ice. F. glaciers : glace, 

ice : L. glacies. 
GLA'CIS. s. In fortification, is a smooth, sloping fence. F. glacis : 

glace, ice : L. glacies. 

119 



GLA— GRA 

GLAD'IATOR. s. A Roman prize-fighter, with or without a sword. 
L. gladiator ; from gladius, a sword. y 

GLAND, s. A term in anatomy. F. gland : L. glandula, a kernel in 
the flesh. 

GLAN'DERS. s. A glandular disorder peculiar to horses, and creating 
a purulent discharge from the nostrils. See GLAND. 

GLEBE, s. Land; church-land. L. gleba, a lump of earth. 

GLOBE, s. A round body ; the earth. L. globus, a ball. 

GLOB'ULAR. adj. Having the form of a globe. See GLOBE. 

GLOB'ULE. s. Around particle of matter. L. globulus. See GLOBE. 

GLOM'ERATE. v. To gather into a ball or sphere. L. glomero: 
glomus, a ball of thread. 

GLOS'SARY. s. A dictionary of antiquated or obscure words. L. 
glossarium : G. glossa, a tongue, or language. 

GLOSSOG'RAPHER. s. A writer of glossaries; a commentator upon 
words. G. glossa, a tongue, and grapho, to write. 

GLOT'TIS. s. The narrow opening at the upper part of the aspera 
arteria, or windpipe. G. glotta, the tongue. 

GLUTINOUS, adj. Of the nature of glue. L. glutinosus : gluten, glue. 

GLUT'TON. s. One who indulges too much in eating. F. glduton : 
L. glutio, to swallow. 

GNOMON, s. The hand or stile of a dial. G. gnomon : ginosko, to 
know. 

GNOMONTCS. s. The art of dialling. G. gnomonike. See GNOMON. 

GNOS'TIC. s. One of a numerous sect of Christians of the first cen- 
tury, who pretended to a high degree of knowledge, and held extra- 
vagant notions of religion. G. gnostikos : ginosko, to know. 

GORGE, s. The throat; the gullet; in architecture, the narrowest part 
of the Tuscan and Doric capitals, between the astragal, above the 
shaft of the column and the annulets: in fortification, the entrance 
of the platform. F. gorge, the neck or throat. 

GOR'GET. s. A piece of armour, which defends the throat ; an orna- 
ment worn by military officers, suspended from the neck, so as to 
reach the breast. F. gorge, the throat or neck. 

GOR'MANDIZE. v. To eat greedily. F. gourmand, a glutton. 

GOVERN, v. To direct; to rule as a chief magistrate. F. gouverner : 
L. guberno, to steer a ship : G. kubernao : kupto, to bend, and naus, 
a ship. 

GRADA'TION. s. Regular progress from one degree to another. L. 
gradatio ; from gradus, a step. 

GRADE, s. Rank ; class : — a word used only in the United States. 
L. gradus, a step. v. To reduce to a proper level, or rank. 

GRADUAL, adj. Proceeding by degrees. F. graduel : L. gradus, a 
step. 

GRAD'UATE. v. To mark with degrees; to obtain a collegiate de- 
gree. L. gradus, a step. 

GRAMINEOUS, adj. Grassy. L. gramineus : gramen, grass. 

GRAMINIVOROUS, adj. Grass-eating ; living on grass. L. gramen, 
grass, and voro, to eat. 

GRAMMAR, s. The art of using a language correctly ; a book which 
teaches the science of grammar. F. grammaire : G. grumma, a 
letter. 

120 



GRA— GYR 

GRAN'ARY. s. A store for corn. L. granarium ; from granum, a 

grain of corn. 
GRANDILOQUENCE, s. High, lofty, big speaking. L. grandis, 

gre.it, and loquor, to speak. 
GRAN 1TE. s. A sort of stone, formed of distinct grains or particles. 

F. gravit : L. granum, a grain. 

GRAN1V OROUS. adj. Living on grain. L. granum, a grain of corn, 
and voro, to eat. 

GRANT, v. To assign with a warranty or assurance of title and quiet 
enjoyment; to concede; to admit; to allow. F. garantir, to war- 
rant. 

GRAN'ULATE. v. To form into grains. L. granum, a grain, and 
latum, sup. offero, to bring. 

GRA'PHIC adj. Relating to the art of delineating, or of engraving. 

G. grapho, to write, or engrave. 

GRATIFY, v. To indulge ; to please. L. gratificor : comp. of gra- 

tus, agreeable, and facio, to make. 
GRATIS, s. Without requiring payment. L. gratis: gratus, wel- 
come. 
GRATTTUDE. s. Desire to repay benefits. Low L. gratitudo ; from 

grator, to thank. 
GRATUITOUS, adj. Voluntary ; as a gift. L. gratuitus. See GRA- 
TIS. Gratuitous is sometimes used to denote without proof; but, 

this sense is erroneous. 
GRATUITY, s. A gift. F. graluite. See GRATIS. 
GRATU'LATORY. adj. Expressing congratulation. L. gratulor, to 

congratulate : gratvs, welcome. 
GRAVE, adj. Solemn. L. gravis, weighty. 
GRAYER, s. An engraving tool. See ENGRAVE. 
GRAVITATE, v. To tend, by intrinsic weight, towards the centre 

of attraction. See GRAVITY. 
GRAVITY, s. Weight; solemnity. L. gravitas : gravis, heavy. 
GRE'CISM. s. A mode of speech peculiar to the Greek language. L. 

gr&cismus ; from Gratia, Greece. 
GREGA'RIOUS. adj. Living in flocks. L. gregarius ; from greges, 

pi. ofgrex, a flock. 
GROSS, adj. Bulky ; palpable ; unrefined ; indelicate. F. gros, thick, 

coarse. 
GUARANTEE', s. One who insures the fulfilment of a contract. F. 

garantie : from garantir, (formerly guarantir,) to warrant. 
GUBERNATORIAL, adj. Relating to the office of a chief magistrate. 

L. gubernator, a governor. 
GUTTURAL, adj. Pronounced in the throat. L. gutturalis : guttur, 

the throat. 
GYMNAS'TIC. adj. Relating to athletic exercises. L. gymnasticus : 

G. gumnastikos : from gumnos, unclothed. 
GYMNOS'OPHIST. s. One of a sect of Indian philosophers, who 

thought it conformable with the law of nature to go naked. F. 

gymnosophist : G. gumnos, naked, and sophistes, a philosopher. 
GYRA'TION. s. The act of turning any thing about. L. gyratus, 

turned about. G. guros, a circuit. 

L 121 



HAB—HEI 



H. 



IIAB'EAS COR'PUS. The name of a judicial writ, which commands 

a jailer, or other person having ;iny one in custody, or under restraint, 

to bring him beiinre the court. L. habeas, you must have, corpus, the 

body [before us.] 
HA BE' RE FACIAS. If a person recovers a chattel interest, in 

land, the writ of execution is an habere facias possessionem ; which 

directs the sheriff to give actual possession. L. 
HABIL IMENT. s. Dress. F. habillement : L. habeo, to have. 
HAB'IT. s. The effect of custom; dress. L. habitus; habeo, to 

have. 
HABITABLE, adj. Capable of being dwelt in. L. habitabilis. See 

HABITATION. 
HABITATION, s. Place of abode. L. habitatio: habito, to dwell; 

from habeo, to have. 
HAGIOG'RAPHY. s. Sacred writings. G. hagios, holy, and grapho, 

to write. 
HAL'CYON. adj. Happy. L. halcyoneus : from Halcyone, daughter 

of iEolus; who, (according to a heathen fiction,) drowned herself in 

the sea : whence, birds of the same name arose ; during whose hatch- 
ing, there is always a calm. 
HALLUCINATE, v. To stumble; to blunder. L. hallucinor, to 

blunder. 
HAL'O. s. A coloured circle around the sun, moon, or any of the 

larger stars. G. halos, an area. 
HAMADRYAD, s. According to the heathen mythology, nymphs 

who presided over trees, with which they lived and died. G. hama % 

together with, and drus, an oak. 
HAM'ATED. adj. Hooked. L. hamatus : hamus, a hook. 
HAN'APER. s. The clerk of the hanaper receives the fees due to the 

king of England, for charters and patents. Low L. hanaperium, a 

large basket, or a treasury. 
HAR'MONY. s. Agreement ; musical concord. G. harmonia : comp. 

of ha ro, to fit. 
HAR'PY. s. According to the heathen mythology, a winged monster, 

which had the face of a woman, the body of a vulture, and its feet 

and fingers armed with sharp claws; a rapacious monster. L. har- 

pia : G. harpax, rapacious. 
HAUGHTY, adj. Proud; arrogant; contemptuous. F. haul, high; 

or Irom a Saxon word of the same meaning. 
HAUTEUR', s. Pride; haughtiness. F. hauteur: haut,h\gh. 
UAUT-GOUT. s. Any thing with a strong relish. F. haut, high, and 

gout, taste. 
HEBDOMADAL, adj. Weekly. L. hebdomada : G. hebdomas, a 

week : hepta, seven. 
HECATOMB, s. An ancient heathen sacrifice of a hundred head of 

cattle. L. hecatombes : G. hekatombe : hekaton, a hundred, and baus t 

an ox. 
HECTIC, adj. Constitutional. F. hectique : G. hexis, a habit. 
HEIN'OUS. adj. Atrocious. F. haineux : from haine, ill-will. 

122 



HEI— HER 

HEIR, s, One to whom an estate or any property has descended. L. 

hares : from hcereo, to stick or continue. 
HELIOCEN'TRIC. adj. The heliocentric phce of a planet, is the 

place of the ecliptic in which the pi met would appear, to a spectator, 

at the centre of the sun. G. helios, the sun, and keatron, the 

centre. 
HE'LIOSCOPE. s. A kind of telescope, or glass, contrived to enable 

one to look at the sun, without injury to the eye. G. helios, the sun, 

and skopco, to view. 
HELIOTROPE, s. The sun-flower; a flower which keeps its face 

always towards the sun. G. helios, the sun, and trepho, to turn. 
HELLEN'lAN. iadj. Pertaining to the Hellenes, or inhabitants oi 
HELLEN'IC. \ Greece ; so called from Hellas, in Greece, or from 

Hellen, G. hellenikos, hellenios. 
HEMT. A word used in composition, signifying half. G. hemisu, 

half. 
HEMISPHERE, s. Haifa sphere; half of the earth. G. hemisphai- 

rion : comp. of hemisu, half, and sphaira, a globe, or sphere. 
HEM'ISTIC. s. Haifa verse of poetry. G. hemistichion : hemisu, half, 

and stichos, a verse. 
HEMORRHAGE, s. A violent flux of blood. G. haimorrhagia : 

haima, blood, and rhegnumi, to burst. 
HEMORRHOIDS, s. The piles. G. haimorrhois : haima, blood, and 

rheo, to flow. 
HEPAT'IC. adj. Relating or pertaining to the liver. L. hepaticus : 

G. hepatos, gen. of he par, the liver. 
HEPTACHORD, s. A system of seven sounds; an instrument with 

seven strings. G. hepta, seven, and chorde, a chord. 
HEP'TAGON. s. A figure having seven sides and angles. G. hepta, 

seven, and gonia, a corner, or angle. 
HEPTAN'DRIA. s. A genus of plants with hermaphrodite flowers 

and seven stamina. G. hepta, seven, and andria, virility. 
HEPTAN'GULAR. adj. Having seven angles. G. hepta, seven, and 

L. angulus, a corner, or angle. 
HEPTARCHY, s. A federal government, consisting of seven states. 

G. hepta, seven, and arche, government. 
HERBIVOROUS, adj. Naturally inclined to eat herbs. L. herha, an 

herb, and voro, to devour. 
HERCULEAN, adj. Having great strength, or large bodily frame ; 

laborious. See Hercules, in the heathen mythology. 
HEREDITARY, adj. Descending by inheritance. L. hereditarius. 

See HEIR. 

HERE'SIARCH. s. A leader in heresy. F. heresiarque : G. hairesis, 

heresy, and archos, a chief. See HERESY. 
HER'ESY. s. An opinion different from the tenets of the catholic 

church. F. heresie : G. hairesis : from hairco, to choose or adopt [an 

opinion.] 
HER'E TIC. s. One who propagates or is inclined to heresy. F. here- 

tique: G. hairetikos. See HERESY. 

HERTTAGE. s. Inheritance ; that which is or may be inherited. See 
HEIR. 

123 



H'ER-HIE 

HERMA'PHRODITE. s. An animal, or a plant, which unites the 

two sexes. G. hermaphrodites ; Hermes, Mercury, and Aphrodite, 

Venus, See Lempriere's Classical Dictionary, title Hermaphro- 
dites. 
HERMETICALLY, adv. In a manner practised by chemists, (as 

hermetically sealed.) G. Hermes, Mercury, the fabled inventor of 

chemistry. 
HER' MIT. s. A person who lives in solitude. F. hermite : G. hermites : 

eremift, a desert. 
HER'NI A. s. A corporeal rupture. L. hernia ; G. hernos, a sprout ; 

alluding to its protuberance. 
HE'RO. s. A man eminent for bravery; chief personage in a poem or 

drama. L. heros, a hero : G. heros, a demigod. 
HER'PES. s. A species of cutaneous inflammation. L. herpes : G. 

herpo, to creep. 
HERPETOL'OGY. s. A description of animals that creep. G. herpo, 

to creep, and logos, a description. 
HESTTATE. v. To pause. L. hasito : from hareo, to stick fast. 
HESPE'RIAN. adj. Western ; situated at the west. L. hesperius ; 

from hesperus ; vesper, the evening star : G. hesperos. 
HETEROCLITE. adj. Irregular; varying from the common modes 

of declension ; deviating from the common rule. L. heteroclitum : 

G. heteros, another, and klino, to incline or turn away. 
HET'ERODOX. adj. Differing from an established opinion. G.heteros, 

another, and doxa, an opinion. 
HE TEROGE'NEOUS, adj. Dissimilar in natural qualities. G. heteros, 

another, and genos, a kind. 
HEX'ACIIORD. s. A system of six sounds ; an instrument with six 

strings. G. hex, six, and chorde, a chord. 
HEX' AGON. s. A figure having six sides and angles. G. hex, six, 

and gonia, a corner, or angle. 
HEXAMETER, adj. Relating to verse of six feet. L. hexameter: G. 

hex, six, and metron, a measure. 
HEXAN'GULAR. adj. Having six angles. G. hex, six, and L. angulus, 

a corner, or angle. 
HEX' APOD. s. An animal with six feet. G. hex, six, and podes, (pi. 

of prms,) feet. 
HEX'ASTILE. s. A building with six columns in front. G. hex, six, 

and stulus, a style, pin, or pillar. 
HIA'TUS. s. A chasm ; an omission in writing. L. hiatus : hio, to 

gape. 
HIBER'NAL. adj. Relating to winter. L. hibernus, relating to winter. 
HIBERNATE, v. To winter ; to pass the season of winter in close 

quarters, or in seclusion, as birds or beasts. L. hiberno : hibernus, 

winterly. 
HI'ERARCH. s. The chief of a sacred order. G. hieros, holy, and 

archos, a chief. 
HIEROGLYPHIC, s. An emblem by which an idea or word is signi- 
fied. L. hieroglyphicus : G. hieros, sacred, and glupho, to carve : 

because, used anciently in religious writings. 
HIEROG'RAPHY. s. Holy writing. G. hieros, sacred, and grapha, 

to write. 

124 



HTE— HOR 

HIEROL'OGY. s. A discourse on sacred things. G. hieros, sacred, 

and logos, a word. 
HILAR'ITY. s. Mirth. L.hilaiitas: G. hilaros, joyful. 
HIPPOCEN'TAUR. s. In ancient fable, a supposed monster, half man 

and half horse. The hippocentaur differed from the centaur, in this, 

that the latter rode on an ox, the former en a horse, as the name 

imports. G. hippokentauros : hippos, a horse; kenteo, to spur, and 

tauros, a bull. 
HIP'PODROME. s. Anciently, a circus, or place in which horse- 

races and chariot-races were performed, and horses exercised. G. 

hippodromos : hippos, a horse, and drotnos, a course ; dremo, to run. 
HIP'POGRIFF. s. A winged horse, imagined by the Italian poet, 

Ariosto. G. hippos, a horse, and grups, a griffin. 
HIPPOPOTAMUS, s. The river-horse. L. hippopotamus : G. hippos, 

a horse, arid potumos, a river. 
HISTORIOGRAPHER, s. A writer of history. G. historia, history, 

and grapho, to write. 
HISTORIOL'OGY. s. Knowledge of history ; explanation of history. 

G. historia, history, and logos, a word. 
HIS'TORY. s. A dignified narration of events; narration. L. historia: 

G. historia : histor, a witness. 
HISTRIONIC, adj. Theatrical. L. histrio, a stage-player. 
HOM'AGE. s. Service paid, and fealty professed, to a sovereign or 

superior lord, by his tenant or vassal; who, holding up his hands, 

both together, between those of the lord, professed that he became 

his man, from that day forth, &c. ; respect shown, by external ac- 
tion. F. hommage : L. homagivm : homo, a man. 
HOM'ICIDE. s. The unpremeditated killing of any human being. L. 

homicidium : comp. of homo, a man, or human being, and ccedo, to 

kill. 
HOMILY, s. A religious discourse read to a congregation. G. homi- 

lia : from homileo, to associate. 
HOMOGE'NEAL. adj. Having the same nature or principles. G. 

homos, like, and genos, a kind. 
HON'EST. adj. Upright ; sincere ; just ; chaste. L. honestus : honor, 

honour, respect. 
HON'OUR. s. Dignity; reputation; nobleness of mind; reverence. 

L. honor, honour. 
HON'ORARY. adj. Done in honour; having honour without gain. 

L. honorarius. See HONOUR. 
HORIZON, s. The line which terminates the view. G. horizon : 

horizo, to limit. 
HORTZON'TAL. adj. Parallel to the. horizon ; level. See HORIZON. 
HOROLOGTCAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to the hours. G. hora, 

an hour, and logos, a word or descripiion. 
HOROM'ETRY. s. The art or practice of measuring time by hours 

and subordinate divisions. G. hora, an hour, and rnelreo, to measure. 
HOROSCOPE, s. A configuration of the planets, by an astrologer, at 

any particular hour. G. horoskopos : hora, an hour, and skopeo, to 

view. 

l* 125 



HOR—HYD 

HOR'RID. adj. Hideous ; dreadful. L. horrid us ; horreo, to be' rough ; 

to tremble through fear. 
HORS DE COMBAT. A French term, denoting wounded, or ren- 

dered, by some other accident, in battle, unfit for immediate service : 

hors, out, df, of, combat, battle. 
HORTATIVE, adj. Exhortive. L. hortativus : from hortor, to advise. 
HORTICULTURE, s. The art of cultivating gardens. L. horti, gen. 

of hortus, a garden, and culture. 
HOSAN'NA. s." Exclamation of praise to God. G. hosavna ; from two 

Hebrew words ; signifying, I pray salvation, I wish prosperity. 
HOSPITABLE, adj. Kind to strangers. L. hospitabilis : hospitiu?n, 

an inn : hospes, a guest, or an entertainer. 
HOS'PITAL. s. A place built for the reception of the sick, or poor. 

L. hospitalis, belonging to strangers. See HOSPITABLE. 
HOST. s. One who entertains in his own house ; the landlord of ah 

inn. F. hoste : L. hospes, an entertainer. — An army assembled for 

war; a multitude: hoslis, an enemy. — The consecrated wafer in the 

Roman church : hostia, a sacrifice lor having obtained a victory over 

enemies; or a sacrifice in general. 
HOSTILE, adj. Adverse ; opposed. L. hostilis : from hostes, a fo- 
reigner, a public enemy. 
HOTEL', s. A lodging-house, for the accommodation of occasional 

lodgers, who are supplied with apartments, hired for the night, or 

by the week. F. hotel ; L. hospes, an entertainer. 
HUE. s. Hue and Cry, is the old common-law process of pursuing, 

with horn and with voice, all felons, and such as have dangerously 

wounded another. F. huer, to hoot at, or shout. 
HU'MAN. adj. Having the qualities of a man ; relating or belonging 

to mankind. L. humanus ; homo, a man. 
HUM A'NE. adj. Charitable; merciful. F. humaine. See HUMAN. 
HUM'BLE. adj. Low ; unassuming. F. humble : L. humilis : from 

humus, the ground. 
HU'MID. adj. Moist; watery. L. humidus : humus, the ground. 
HUMILTTY. s. Humbleness; freedom from arrogance. F. humility : 

L. humilkas. See HUMBLE. 
HU'MOUR. s. Bodily moisture; temper of mind; a sort of wit. L. 

humor. See HUMID. 
HY'DRA. s. A monstrous water-serpent, with many heads, said to 

have been slain by Hercules ; a complicated mischief. L. hydra : 

G. hud or, v^ater. 
HY'DRANT. s. A pipe, with a turncock attached, from which water 

issues for the convenience of the public, or of a private family. G. 

hudor, water. 
HYDRAUL'ICS. s. The art of conveying water through pipes. G. 

hudor, water, and aulos, a pipe. 
HYDROCETHALOUS. s. A dropsy in the head. L. pydrocephalos : 

G. hudor, water, and kephale, the head. 
HY'DROFUGE. s. A preservative against moisture. G. hudor, water, 

and/ug-o, to drive away. 
HY'DROGEN. s. One of the constituent parts of water. G. hudor^ 

water, and gennao, to generate. 

126 



HYD-HYP 

HYDROG'RAPHY. s. The art and practice of measuring 1 and de- 
scribing the sea, lakes, rivers, and other waters. G. hudor, water, 
and grapho, to write. 

HYDROM'ETER. s. An instrument for ascertaining the weight of 
liquids. G. hudor, water, and metreo, to measure. 

HYDRONAM'ICS. s. Laws relating to the motion of water. 

HYDROPHO'BIA. s. Canine madness; the most striking evidence 
of which is a dread of water. L. hydrophobia : G. hudrophobia : hu- 
dor, water, and phobos, dread. 

HYDROPIC, adj. Dropsical. L. hydropicus : G. hudrops, the dropsy : 
hudor, water, and ops, an appearance. 

HYDROSTATICS, s. The science of the weight and pressure of 
water. G. hudor, water, and statos, part, of istemi, to stand or sus- 
tain. 

HYGROM'ETER. s. An instrument for denoting the humidity of the 
atmosphere. G. hugros, moist, and metreo, to measure. 

HY'GROSCOPE. s. An hygrometer. G. hugros, moist, and skopeo, 
to view. 

HYGROSTATTCS. s. The science which ascertains degrees of mois- 
ture. G. hugros, moist, and statos, part, of istemi, to stand or sustain. 

HYMENE'AL. adj. Relating to marriage. L. Hymen, the god of 
marriage. 

HYMN. s. A song of praise ; a divine song. F. hymne : G. humnos, 
a song of praise. 

HYMNOL'OGY. s. A collection of hymns. G. humnos, a song of 
praise, and logos, a word. 

HYPERBOLA, s. A term in mathematics. G. huper, over, and ballo, 
to throw. 

HYPER'BOLE. s. A rhetorical figure, by which any thing is in- 
creased or diminished beyond the truth. L. hyperbole : G. huperbole : 
com p. of huper, over, and ballo, to throw. 

HYPERBO'REAN. adj. Northern. L. hyperboreus : G. huper, be- 
yond, and Boreas, the north. 

HYPERCRITICAL, adj. Captiously exact as a critic ; critical be- 
3^ond use. G. huper, above, and critical. See CRITIC. 

HY'PHEN. s. A mark (-)'used to join words, and parts of words. G. 
huphen, together. 

HYPOCHON'DRIAC. adj. Melancholy; disordered in the imagina- 
tion ; a state in which a person is bound down, as by some animal 
cord. E. hxjpochondriaque : G. hupo, under, and chondros, a cartilage. 

HYPOCRISY, s. Dissimulation, with regard to moral or religious 
sentiments. G. hupokrisis : hupo, under, and krisis, a judgment, or 
opinion : meaning an appearance under a mask. 

HYPOGAS'TRIC. adj. Seated in the lower part of the belly. F. hy- 
pogastrique : G. hupo, under, and gaster, the belly. 

HYPOTENUSE, s. The longest side of a right-angled triangle. G. 
hupotenousa ; comp. of hupo, under, and teino, to stretch out. 

HYPOTHECATE, v. To deposite as a pledge. L. hypotheca, a 

pledge : G. hupo, from, and theke, a place of deposite, 
HYPOTHESIS, s. A supposition ; or a proposition or principle which 
is supposed or taken for granted. L. hypothesis: G. hupothesis ; 
hupo, before, and thesis, a position. 

127 



HYP— IGN 

HYPOTHETIC, or HYPOTHETICAL, adj. Including a supposi- 
tion ; conditional. See HYPOTHESIS. 

HYSTERIC, or HYSTERICAL, adj. Subject to a species of fits. 
G. husierikos : hustera, the womb ; from which region, the cause of 
this female weakness is supposed to issue. 



I. 

IAM'BUS. s. A poetical foot, consisting of a short syllable followed by 
a long one. L. iambus : G. iambos ; from iambizo, to rail or revile ; 
the iambic measure having been originally used only in satire. 

ICH'OR. s. A thin, watery humour. G. ichor, raw or immature blood. 

ICHTHYOL'OGY. s. The science of the nature of fishes. G. ichthu- 
ologia ; comp. of ichthus, a fi>h, and logos, a description. 

ICH THY'OPHAGY.s. Diet offish. G.ichtus, a fish, and ph a go, to eat. 

ICON'OCLAST. s. An image-breaker ; a term applied to a sect of the 
early Christians, who considered the worship of images in the Ro- 
man Catholic churches as idolatry. G. eikon, an image, and klao, 
to break. 

ICONOG'RAPHY. s. A history or description of images. G. eikon t 
an image, and grapho, to write. 

ICTER'ICAL. adj. Afflicted with jaundice. L. ictericus : G. ikteros, 
the jaundice. 

IDEA, s. A mental conception. G. idea ; from eido, to see; that is, 
in the mind. 

IDEN'TITY. s. Sameness. L. identitas : idem, the same. 

IDES. s. A term in the Roman kalendar, denoting the 13th day of 
each month, except of March, May, July, and October, in which it 
relates to the 15th. L. idus. The ides were generally about the 
middle of the month ; and therefore we may derive the word from 
iduare, an obsolete verb, signifying to divide. Kennett's Rom. Ant. 
107. 

IDIOM, s. A mode of speech peculiar to a language. G. idioma; 
from idios, peculiar. 

IDIOT, s. One born a fool. L. idiota, an illiterate, simple person; a 
private man, not in office : G. idios, private. 

I'DOL. s. An image worshipped as God ; one loved or honoured almost 
to adoration. L. idolmn : G. eidolon, an image : from eido, to see. 

IGNEOUS, adj. Containing fire. L. igneus : ignis, fire. 

IGNIF'LUOUS. adj. Flowing with fire. L. ignijluus : ignis, fire, 
undfluo, to flow. 

IGNIPOTENT. s. Presiding over fire. L. ignipotens : ignis, fire, 
and potens, able. 

IG'NIS-FAT'UUS. s. A meteor arising from marshes or stagnant 
waters ; will-o-the-wisp. L. ignis, fire, and fatuus, foolish or flashy. 

IGNI'TE. v. To kindle. L. ignis, fire. 

IGNIV'0?flOUS. adj. Vomiting fire. L. ignis, fire, and vomo, to vomit. 

IGNOMINIOUS, adj. Disgraceful. L. ignominiosvs ; from ignomi- 
nia, properly a mark of disgrace prefixed to a man's name by the 
Roman censors : ignavus, slothful or cowardly, and nomen, a name. 

IGNORA'MUS. s. Signifies "we are ignorant of it;'- "we do not 

128 



IGN— IMM 

a verdict of acquittal given by a grand jury. 
L. ignoro, to be ignorant. 

IG'NORANT. adj. Wanting knowledge; untauglit. F. ignorant : L. 
ignorons, part, of ignoro, not to know : in, not, and gnarus, skilful, 

IGNORE, v. To quash a bill of indictment, by writing on it the word 
ignoramus. See IGNORAMUS. 

ILLATIVE, adj. Relating to inference or conclusion. L. Hiatus, p. 
part, of infer o ; comp.- of in, into, and few, to bring. 

ILLAU'DIBLE, adj. Not deserving praise or approbation. L. illau- 
dabilis ; comp. of in, not, and laudabilis, praiseworthy: laudo, to 
praise. 

ILLE'GAL. adj. Not lawful. L. in, not, and legal. 

ILLE'GIBLE. adj. Impossible to be read. L. in, not, and legible. 

ILLEGITIMATE, adj. Irregular ; not born in wedlock. L. in, not, 
and legitimate. 

ILLIB'ERAL. adj. Not liberal; not generous; sparing. L. illibe. 
ralis : in, not, and liberalis, genteel, liberal : liber, free. 

ILLICIT, adj. Unlawful. L. illicitus ; from in, not, and liceo, to be 
lawful. 

ILLIT'ERATE. adj. Unlearned ; untaught. L. illiteratus ; comp. of 
in, without, and litera, letters. 

ILLU'MINATE. v. To enlighten ; to adorn with lights. L. illumino : 
in, into, and lumen, light. 

ILLU'DE. v. To deceive, or mock. L. illudo : in, against, and ludo, 
to sport. 

ILLU'SION. s. Deception ; error. L. illusio. See ILLUDE. 

ILLUS'TRATE. v. To explain. L. illustro : in, concerning, and 
lustro, to purify ; that is, to free from obscurity. 

ILLUS'TRIOUS. adj. Conspicuously eminent for good qualities ; no- 
ble. L. illustris, bright. 

IM'AGE. s. A corporeal representation ; a statue ; a picture ; sem- 
blance ; appearance. L. imago ; from imitor, to imitate. 

IMA'GINE. v. To fancy ; to paint in the mind ; to contrive. L. ima- 
ginor. See IMAGE. 

IM'BECILE. adj. Weak ; ineffectual. L. imbecillis, weak. 

IMBI'BE. v. To draw in; to absorb; to acquire. L. imbibo ; comp. 
of in, into, and bibo, to drink. 

IM'BRICATED. adj. Indented with cavities ; hollowed like a gutter- 
tile. L. imbricis, gen. of imbrex, a small canal or gutter to carry 
off rain : imber, a shower of rain. 

IMBUE', v. To tincture deeply ; to furnish completely. L. imbuo, to 
dye, or soak. 

IMMACULATE, adj. Spotless ; pure ; without a moral blemish. L. 
immaculatus : from in, without, and macula, a spot. 

IMMAS'CULATE. v. To deprive of virility. L. in, not, and mas, a 
male. 

IMMATU'RE. adj. Unripe; unfinished; hasty. L. in, not, and ma- 
ture. 

IMME'DIATE. aaj. Without any cause or event intervening; proxi- 
mate ; instant. L. in, not, and medius, a middle. 

IMME?vIO'RlAL. adj. Beyond human remembrance, or tradition. L. 
in, not, or without, and memorial. 

129 



IMM— IMP 

IMMENSE', adj. Unlimited ; huge. L. immensus : in, not, and men- 
sus, (part, of metior,) measured. 

IMMERGE'. v. To immerse. L. immergo : in, within, and mergo, to 
plunge. 

IMMERSE', v. To din; to engage deeply. L. immersum, sup. of 
immergo. See IMMERGE. 

IM'MIGRATE. v. To migrate into; to enter as an emigrant. L. 
immigro: in, into, and migro, to shift the habitation. 

IM'MINENT. adj. Impending ; threatening. L. imminens : in, upon, 
and minor, to threaten. 

IMMISCIBLE, adj. Not capable of being mingled. L. in, not, and 
miscible. 

IMMOBILITY, s. Immovableness ; resistance to motion. F. immo- 
bility : L. in, without, and mobilitas, mobility, or activity ; jnoveo, to 
move. 

IM'MOLATE. v. To sacrifice. L. immolo ; comp. of in, upon, and 
mola, meal or flour, which was anciently mixed with salt, and sprin- 
kled upon the head of the beast at the time of the sacrifice. 

IMMOR'AL. adj. Against the laws of natural religion ; dishonest; 
L. in, not, and moral. 

IMMORTAL, adj. Exempt from death; everlasting. L. in, not, and 
mortal. 

IMMU'NITY. s. Privilege ; exemption. F. immunite : L. immunitas : 
in, without, mnnus, a gift, charge, or duty. 

IMMURE, v. To imprison. L. in, within, and murus, a wall. 

IMMUTABLE, adj. Unchangeable; unalterable. L. in, not, and 
mutable. 

I?*IPA'LE. v. To enclose with stakes ; to put to death, by fixing upon 
a stake. F. empaler : en, in or upon, and L. palus, a stake. 

IMPAL'PABLE. adj. Imperceptible by touch. L. in, not, and pal- 
pable. 

IMPARTIAL, adj. Free from regard to party; just. L. in, not, and 
partial. 

IMPEACH', v. To accuse ; to accuse by public authority. F. empe- 
cher, to hinder; because, the accused is supposed to be arrested, or 
obstructed in his usual employments and rights. 

IMPECCABLE, adj. Exempt from possibility of sin. L. in, not, and 
pecco, to sin. 

IMPEDE, v. To delay ; to obstruct. L. impedio ; from in, against, 
and pedes, (pi. of pes,) the feet. 

IMPEL', v. To drive on towards a point; to urge forward. ~L.impello: 
in, upon, and pello, to drive. 

IMPEND', v. To hang over, as if threatening. L. impendeo : in, 
upon, and pendeo, to hang. 

IMPENITENT, adj. Unrepenting; obdurate. L. in, not, and penitent. 

IMPEN'NOUS. adj. Without wings. L. in, without, penna, a quill, 
or wing. 

IMPER'ATIVE. adj. Commanding; absolutely required. L. impera- 
tivus : irnpero, to command. 

IMPE'RIAL. adj. Relating to empire, or to an empire, in the same 
manner as regal, or royal, relates to a kingdom. L. imperialis : irn- 
pero, to rule. 

130 



IMP— IMP 

IMPE'RIOUS. adj. Arrogant ; powerful. L. imperiosus ; from xm- 
pero, to rule or command. 

IMPE'RIUM IN IMP E' RIO. One government within, or subject 
to, another; exemplified in the relation which the several states of 
America bear to the federal government. L. imperium, a govern- 
ment, in, witliin, imperio, a government. 

IMPERTINENT, adj. Of no relation to the matter in debate; intru- 
sive. L. in, not, and pertinent. 

IMPER'VIOUS. adj. Impenetrable. L. impervius ; com p. of in, with- 
out, and pervium, a passage : per, through, and via, a way. 

IMPETUOUS, adj. Violent; passionate. F. impetueux. See IM- 
PETUS. 

IM'PETUS. s. Violent tendency to any point; violent effort. L. im- 
petus, natural desire or instinct: impeto, to invade; in, into, and 
peto, to urge, to rush. 

IMPINGE', v. To strike or fall against. L. impingo ; from in, against, 
and pango, to strike. 

IMPIOUS, adj. Irreligious; wicked, L. impius ; in, not, and pius, 
religious, or just. 

IMPLACABLE, adj. Not to be appeased. L. implacabilis ; in, not, 
and placo, to appease. 

IM'PLEMENT. s. Something that supplies a want; a utensil ; a tool. 
L. implernentum ; from irnpleo, to fill. 

IMPLE TION. s. The act of filling, or state of being full. L. impleo, 
to fill. 

IMPLICATE, v. To entangle ; to involve. L. implico ; in, together, 
and plico, to knit, or fold. 

IMPLICIT, adj. Inferred; not expressed; resting upon another; 
trusting without reserve or examination. L. implicitus ; p. part, of 
implico ; in, in, and plico, to fold. 

IMPLO'RE. v. To solicit in a suppliant manner. L. imploro ; in, to- 
wards, and ploro, to weep, or cry out. 

IMPLY', v. To include as a consequence or concomitant. L. implico ; 
•in, into, and plico, to fold. 

IMPLU'MOUS. adj. Without feathers. L. implumis ; in, without, 
and pluma, a feather. 

IMPORT', v. To bring from abroad ; to imply. L. imporlo ; comp. 
of in, into, and porto, to carry. 

IM'PORT. s. Tendency; meaning : pi. merchandise imported. See 
the verb. 

IMPOR'TANT. adj. Momentous ; considerable. L. importans, part, 
of imporlo ; in, into, and porto, to carry ; meaning, to carry some- 
thing weighty or effective. 

IMPORTU'NE. v. To tease ; to solicit unceasingly. L. importunitas, 
importunity, unreasonableness : in, towards, and porto, to carry ; 
meming, to carry a solicitation frequently. 

IMPOSE', v. To lay upon as a burthen or penalty ; to exact ; to cheat. 
F. imposer : L. impositum, sup. of impono ; in, upon, and pono, to 
place. 

IMPOS'SIBLE. adj. Impracticable. L. in, not, and possible. 

IM'POST. s. A tax. F. impost : L. impositus. See IMPOSE. 

131 



IMP— INC 

IM'POTENT. adj. Powerless ; weak. L. Impotens ; in, not, and po- 

tens, (part, of possum,) able. 
IMPOUND', v. To put into a pound, or place for receiving - cattle that 

have strayed, or been stolen. L. in, into, and pono, to place. 
IMPRECATE, v. To pray for evil. L. imprecor ; in, against, and 

precor, to pray. 
IMPREGNABLE, adj. Not to be entered, or subdued. F. imprenable, 

(formerly impregnable ;) L. in, not, and prcegno, lo fill. 
IMPREG'NATE. v. To saturate ; to make pregnant. L. in, into, and 

pr&gno, to fill. 
IMPRESS', v. To imprint; to constrain. L. impressum, sup. of i?n- 

primo ; comp. of in, into, and premo, to press. 
IMPRIMA'TUR. A term used to give permission to print, in countries 

where the press is not free, but subject to a censor. L. imprimatur, 

" let it be printed :" imprimo, to print. 
IMPRINT', v. To mark by pressure. See PRINT. 
IMPROMPTTJ. A witticism, produced without preparation. L. im- 
promptu, in readiness. 
IMPUDENT, adj. Immodest; intrusive. L. impudens ; in, without, 

and pudor, shame. 
IMPUGN', v. To attack ; to oppose. L. impugno ; in, against, and 

pvgno, to fight. 
IMPULSE, s. Communicated force ; motive. L. impulsus, p. part. 

of impello ; in, against, and pello, to drive. 
IMPUNITY, s. Freedom from punishment. F. impunite : L. impu- 

nitas ; in, not, and punio, to punish. 
IMPUTE, v. To attribute. L. imputo ; comp. of in, concerning, and 

puto, to suppose. 
INACCESSIBLE, adj. Not accessible ; not to be reached. L. in, not, 

and accessible. 
INACCURATE, adj. Not accurate ; incorrect. L. in, not, and accu- 
rate. 
INADVER'TENCE. s. Carelessness ; inattention. L. in, not, and ad- 

vertens, part, of adverio, to turn to: ad, towards, and verto, to turn. 
INALIENABLE, adj. Not to be granted or given away to another. 

L. in, not, and alienable. See ALIENATE. 
INANIMATE, adj. Without life; dull. L. inanimatus ; from in y 

without, and anima, breath, or souL 
INANITY, s. Emptiness; void space, h.inanitas; inanis, empty. 
INAUDIBLE, adj. Not possible to be heard. L. in, not, and audible. 
INAU'GURATE. v. To invest with a new office, by solemn rites. L. 

inauguro ; comp. of in, into, and augur, a soothsayer; alluding to 

the ancient ceremony of consulting omens, as to the future success 

of the person invested. 
INCANTA'TION. s. Charms uttered by singing; pretended enchant- 
ment. F '. incantation : L. incanto, to enchant; in, into, and canto, 

to repeat often the same thing : cano, to sing. 
INCAR'CER ATE. v. To imprison. L. incarcero ; from in, into, and 

career, a prison. 
INCARNATE, adj. Embodied with flesh. L. incarnatus, p. part, of 

incarno, to embody with flesh : in, into, and carnem, accus. of caro, 

flesh. 

132 



INC— INC 

INC ARNA'TIQN. s. The assumption of body. F. incarnation. See 

INCARNATE. 
INCEN'DIARY. s. One who burns any thing maliciously ; a conspi- 
rator. L. incendiarius ; incendo, to set on fire. 
IN'CENSE. s. Perfume exhaled by fire, in honour of a deity ; flattery. 

L. incensutn ; incendo, to set on fire. 
INCENSE', v. To enrage, to provoke. L. incensum, sup. of incendo, 

to set on fire. 
INCEN'TIVE. s. Provocation ; incitement. L. incentivutn ; from in. 

cendo. See INCENSE'. 
INCEP'TIVE. adj. Noting a beginning. L. inceptivus ; from incipio. 

See INCIPIENT. 
INCESSANT, adj. Unceasing. L. in, not, and cessans, part, of cesso, 

to cease. 
IN'CEST. s. Criminal connexion of persons within prohibited degrees 

of consanguinity. L. incestum ; in, not, and castus, chaste, or pure. 
INCHOATE, adj. In an incipient state; just, begun; imperfect. L. 

inckoatus, p. pirt. o? inch 00 ; comp. of in, not, and coquo, to boil. 
IN'CIDENT. adj. Casual ; fortuitous ; apt to happen. L. incidens, 

part, of incido ; in, into, and cado, to fall. 
INCINERATE, v. To burn to ashes. L. in, into, and cineres, 

ashes. 
INCIPTENT. adj. State of commencement; proceeding after a be- 

ginning; early; immature. L. incipiens, part, of incipio ; in, into, 

and capio, to take. 
INCISION, s. Act of cutting into ; a cut. L. incisio ; incisus, p. part. 

of incido ; in, into, and caido, to cut. 
INCI'TE. ». To urge on. ~L.incito; in, to, and citum, sup. of cieo, to 

move. 
INCLEMENT, adj. Unmerciful ; severe. L. in, not, and clemens, 

merciful. 
INCLI'NE. v. To bend, or lean ; to be favourable. L. inclino ; in, to- 
wards, and clino, to bend. G. klino. 
INCLUDE, v. To comprise. L. includo; in, in, and claudo, to shut. 
INCLUSIVE, adj. Comprised. F. inclusif : L. inclusus, p. part, of 

includo. See INCLUDE. 
INCOG' NIT A. Unknown ; applied to a single thing of the feminine 

gender, — as, terra incognita, the unknown country : the fair incog. 

nita, or unknown female : or to several things of the neuter gender. 

L. incognitas ; in, not, and cognosco, to know. 
INCOG' NITO. A term, abbr. incog., which denotes a concealment 

of the proper person or rank, when travelling, or in any public place 

of amusement. See INCOGNITA. 
INCOHERENT, adj. Unconnected; inconsistent. L. in, not, and 

coherent. 
INCOMMO'DE. v. To inconvenience. L. incommodo ; in, not, and 

commodo, to help. 
INCOMPATIBLE, adj. Inconsistent. L. in, not, and compatible. 
INCONTINENT, adj. Variable ; inconstant ; unchaste. L. in, not, 

and continent. 
INCORPORATE, v. To unite ; to form into a corporation. L. in, 

into, and corporate. 

m 133 



INC— IND 

INCORPO'REAL. adj. Not corporeal ; spiritual. L. in, not, and cor- 
poreal. 

INCORRIGIBLE, adj. Bad beyond amendment. L. in, not, and cor- 
rigible. 

IN'CREMENT. s. Increase; produce. L. incrementum ; from in- 
cresco, to increase. 

INCUBA'TION. s. Hatching - . L. incubatio ; incubo, to lie or sit on : 
in, upon, and cumbo, to lie down. 

INCUBUS, s. The night-mare ; an inflation of the members of the 
stomach, which causes the sensation of a weight, oppressing the 
breast. L. from incurnbo, to lie upon. 

INCUL'OATE. v. To impress on the mind, by frequent repetitions. 
L. inculco ; in, into, and calco, to tread : calx, the heel. 

INCUL'PATE. v. To charge with a fault; to criminate. L. in, upon, 
and culpa, a fault. 

INCUM'BENT. adj. Lying on; imposed as a duty. L. incumbens, 
part, of incurnbo. See INCUMBER. 

INCUM'BENT. s. One who is in the enjoyment of an office. See the 
adjective. 

INCUM BER. r. To oppress ; to inconvenience. , F. encombrer : L. 
incurnbo, to lean upon : in, upon, and cumbo, to lie down. 

INCUR', v. To become liable to ; to cause. L. incur ro ; in, into, and 
curro, to run. 

INCUR'SION. s. Hasty and sudden invasion ; inroad. L. incursio ; 
comp. of in, into, and cursum, sup. of curro, to run. 

INDECOROUS, adj. Indecent ; unbecoming. L. in, not, and de- 
corous, 

INDEFATIGABLE, adj. Not to be wearied. L. indefatigabilis ; in, 
not, and defatigo, to weary. 

INDEFEIS'IBLE. adj. Not to be annulled ; irrevocable. F. indefai- 
sible ; in, signifying, not, and defaire, to undo. 

INDEFINITE, adj. Unlimited; undetermined. L. in, not, and de- 
finite. 

INDELIBLE, adj. Not to be blotted out or effaced ; never to be for- 
gotten. L. indelibilis ; in, not, and deleo, to blot out. 

INDEM'NIFY. v. To secure against loss. L. in, not, and an obsolete 
English word, damnify ; damnum, hurt, loss. 

INDENT, v. To mark or cut in the form of a row of teeth. L. in, 
after the manner of, and dentes, (pi. of dens,) teeth. 

INDENTURE, s. A written document, of which there is at least one 
counterpart: from indent; because, the several writings, placed one 
upon another, were formerly indented, with a knife; so that, when, 
at any future time, laid together again, a forgery could be detected, 
if there appeared any disagreement in the parts indented. 

IN'DEX. s. A discoverer; a pointer; table of contents. L. index ; 
indictus,p. part, of indico. See INDICATE. 

INTRICATE, v. To show. L. indico; in, concerning, and dico, to 
say. 

INDICATIVE, adj. Showing; simply affirming, as, " I love." L. 
indicalivus. See INDICATE. 

IN' DICES, s. Algebraic quantities. L. indices, pi. of index. See 
INDEX. 

134 



IND— INE 

INDICT'MENT. s. (Pronounced indilement.) A written accusation, 
preferred to, and presented on oath by, a grand jury. L. in, against, 
and dico, to say. 

INDIGENOUS, adj. Originally produced in a country ; not exotic. 
L. indigena, a native : G. endon, within, and gennao, to produce. 

IN'DIGENT. adj. Needy; poor. L. indigens, part, of indigeo, to be 
needy. 

INDIGNA'TION. s. A sentiment of anger, awakened by the atrocious 
or unworthy conduct of another. L. indignatio ; from indignor, to 
think unworthy. 

INDISPENSABLE, adj. Not to be spared ; essentially necessary. L. 
in, not, and dispensable. See DISPENSE. 

INDIVID'UAL. adj. Separate from others of the same kind ; single. 
L. individuus ; in, not, and divido, to divide; meaning, one that 
cannot be subdivided. 

INDIVISIBLE, adj. Not possible to be divided. L. in, not, and divi- 
sible. 

IN'DOLENT. adj. Careless ; lazy. L, in, not, and dolens, part, of 
doleo, to feel or fret. 

INDU'BITABLE. adj. Unquestionable ; certain. L. indvbitabilis ; 
comp. of in, not, and dubium, a doubt. 

INDU'CE. v. To persuade; to influence; to cause. L. induco ; in, 
towards, and duco, to lead. 

INDUCTION, s. A term in logic, expressing a mode of argument 
more tedious than a syllogism ; by which, from several particular 
propositions, we infer one general proposition. It is used also to de- 
note the giving corporal possession of a church, to a new minister. 
L. induclio ; from in, into, and ductus, p. part, of duco, to lead. 

INDUE', v. To invest ; to furnish. L induo, to put on, or cover over. 

INDULGE', v. To be favourable to; to encourage by compliance; to 
gratify with concession; to fondle. L. indulgeo ; comp. of in, to- 
wards, and dulcis, sweet. 

INDURATE, v. To harden. L. induro ; from in, into, and durus, 
hard. 

INEB'RIATE. v. To intoxicate ; to make drunk. L. inebrio ; in, 
into, and ebrius, soaked, drenched, drunk. 

INEBRIATION, s. Intoxication. L. in, in, and ebrieias, drunken- 
ness. 

INEF'FABLE. adj. Unspeakable ; unutterable. F. ineffable : L. in. 
effabilis ; in, not, ad, with regard to, and for, to speak. 

INEPT', adj. Trifling ; foolish ; useless. L. ineptus ; in, not, and 
aptus, fit. 

INERT', adj. Inactive ; sluggish ; motionless. L. iners ; in, without, 
and ars, power, or art. 

INES'TIMABLE. adj. Invaluable. L. inestimabilis ; in, not, and 
tsstimo, to value. 

INEVITABLE, adj. Unavoidable ; certain. L. ineviiabilis ; in, not, 
and evito, to shun. 

INEX'ORABLE. adj. Not to be entreated ; inflexible. L. inexorabilis ; 
in, not, ex, from, and orari, (infin. oforor,) to be entreated. 

INEX'PLICABLE. adj. Incapable of being explained. L. inexplica- 
hilis / in, not, and explico, to unfold. 

135 



INE— INF 

IN EXTEN'SO. At large ; without any curtailment or abridg- 
ment. L. 
INFAL'LIBLE. adj. Free from the possibility of error ; certain. L. 

in, not, and fallible. 
IN'FAMOUS. adj. Publicly branded with guilt. L. infamis ; in, with- 
out, and/a?rca, reputation. 
IN'FANT. s. A young child ; in law, a minor. L. infans, without 

speech : in, not, and for, to speak. 
IN'FANT. adj. In a state of commencement. See the noun. 
INFANTICIDE, s. The murder of a child. L. infanticidium ; comp. 

of infans, a child, and ccedo, to kill. 
IN'FANTRY. s. Foot soldiers. F. infanterie ; enfant, an infant, mean- 

ing, that those soldiers are small, in comparison with cavalry. 
INFAT'UATE. v. To strike with folly ; to deprive of understanding. 

L. infatuo ; in, into, wci&fatuus, silly, 
INFECT', v. To taint ; to pollute. L. infectum, sup. of injicio, to 

stain : in, into, and facio, to make. 
INFER', v. To deduce. L. infero ; from in, into, and fero, to bring. 
INFE'RIOR. adj. Lower in place ; subordinate. L. inferior, lower : 

positive, infra, beneath ; comp. inferior, lower ; sup. infimus, lowest. 
INFER'NAL. adj. Relating to hell ; atrocious. L. infernus ; infra, 

below. 
INFEST', v. To disturb ; to vex ; to harass. L. infeslo ; in, not, and 

festus, joyous or happy. 
IN'FIDEL. s. An unbeliever in regard to religious tenets. L. infidelis ; 

in, without, fides, faith, or belief. 
INFINITE, adj. Unlimited ; very large. L. infinitus ; in, not, and 

finis, an end. 
INFIRM', adj. Tottering; weak. L. in, not, and firm. 
INFLA'ME. v. To kindle ; to provoke. L. infiammo ; in, into, and 

flamrna, a flame. 
INFLA'TE. v. To swell with wind ; to fill with the breath ; to make 

turbid. L. infiatum, sup. of inflo ; from in, into, and fio, to blow. 
INFLECTION, or INFLEXION, s. The act of bending ; variation 

of a noun or verb. L. infiectio, or injlexio ; from infiecto ; in, in, or 

towards, -dndfiecto, to bend. 
INFLEXIBLE, adj. Not possible to be bent, or prevailed on. L. in- 

fiexibilis ; in, not, and flecto, to bend. 
INFLICT', v. To impose as a punishment. L. infiictum, sup. of in- 

fiigo ; in, upon, and fligo, to beat, 
IN'FLUENCE. s. Power of effecting. L. influens, part, of infiuo ; 

comp. of in, into, or against, and^ito, to flow, or proceed. 
IN'FLUX. s. Act of flowing into. L. infiuxus, part, of infiuo ; in, 

into, and^wo, to flow. 
INFO'LIATE. v. To cover with a resemblance of leaves. L. in, upon, 

folium, a leaf. 
INFORM', v. To communicate what has lately happened; to instruct. 

L. informo ; in, into, and formo, to frame : forma, a shape. 
IN FORMA PAUPERIS. In the form of a poor man; a law 

phrase, to denote a certain exemption, granted, in the English courts, 

to those who cannot afford the expense of a lawsuit. L. in, in, 

forma, the form, pauperis, (gen. of pauper.) of a poor man. 

136 



1NF-INN' 

IN FORO CONSCIEN' TIM. " In a court of conscience j" with a 

clear conscience. L. 
INFRACTION, s. Breach. L. inf radio ; in, into, and fractus, p. part. 

of frango, to break. 
INFRANGIBLE, adj. Not possible to be broken. L. in, not, and 

frangible. 
INFRINGE', v. To violate. L. infringo ; from in, into, and frango, 

to break, 
INFURIATE, v. To enrage. L. in, into, and furia, a fury or fiend. 
INFUSE, v. To pour into ; to extract without boiling. F. infuser : 

L. infusum, sup. of inf undo ; from in, into, and fundo, to pour. 
INGENIOUS, adj. Having genius ; inventive. L. ingeniosus : inge- 

nium, capacity, wit : in, in, and gigno, or ge.no, to beget. G. gennao. 
INGENUOUS, adj. Candid ; generous. L. ingenuus, free-born ; of 

good extraction ; honest. See INGENIOUS. 
INGRA'TIATE. v. To recommend to kindness. L. in, into, and 

gratia, affection, or favour. 
IN'GRESS. s. Entrance. L. ingressus : in, into, and gressus, part. 

of gradior, to step. 
INGUINAL, adj. Relating to the groin. L. inguinis, gen. of inguen, 

the groin. 
INHABIT, v. To dwell in permanently. L. in, in, and habito, to 

dwell : habeo, to have, hold, or occupy. 
INHA'LE. v. To draw in [to the lungs.] L. inhalo ; comp. of in, into, 

and halo, to breathe. 
INHERENT, adj. Naturally conjoined ; innate. L. inhcerens, part. 

ofinhcereo : in, in, and hcereo, to stick. 
INHERIT, v. To receive or possess by inheritance. F. inheriter. 

See HEIR. 
INHIBIT, v. To retrain; to prohibit. L. inhibeo : in, against, and 

habeo, to have or hold ; meaning, some obstruction. 
INHUME, v. To bury. L. inhumo ; from in, into, and humus, the 

-ground. 
INIMTCAL. adj. Hostile. L. inimicus : in, not, and amicus, a. friend. 
INI'QUITY. s. High degree of injustice; crime. F. iniquit6 : L. in. 

iquitas : iniquus, unequal: in, not, and (Bquus, equal. 
INI'TIAL. adj. At the beginning. L. inilialis : initium, a beginning ; 

in, into, and it.io, a going: itum, sup. of eo, to go. 
INI'TIATE. v. To enter; to introduce. L. initio. See INITIAL. 
INJECT', v. To throw in. L. injectum, sup. of injicio : in, into, and 

jacio, to tbrow. 
INJUDI'CIOUS. adj. Unwisely judged, or designed. L. in, not, and 

judicious. 
INJUNCTION, s. Act of enjoining; command or rule, associated 

with some business or duty. L. injunctio: injunctus, p. part, ofira- 

jungo: in, with, andjunoo, to join. 
INJURE, v. To hurt unjustly ; to damage. L. injuria : in, against, 

and juris, gen. of jus, right. 
IN LIM'INE. At the threshold ; inceptively ; at the commencement. 

L. in, in, limine, abl. of limen, the threshold of a door. 
INNATE, adj. Born with ; inherent. L. innalus, part, of innascor : 

in, and nascor, to be born. 

m * 137 



INN— INS 

IN'NOCENT. adj. Guiltless; innocuous. L. innocens ; from in, noi, 

and nocens, part, of noceo, to hurt 
INNOCUOUS, adj. Harmless in effect. L. innocuus : in, not, and 
noceo, to hurt. 

INNOVATE, v. To introduce something new or uncommon, (which 
is thought inconvenient or dangerous.) L. innovo ; from in, into, 
and novas, new. 

INNOXIOUS, adj. Free from mischievous effects, or from crimes. 
L. innoxius : in, not, and noceo, to hurt. 

INNUEN'DO. s. Oblique hint. L. innuendo, by nodding ; abl. gerund 
of innuo: in, towards, and nuo, to nod. 

INNUMERABLE, adj. Not possible to be counted ; extremely nume- 
rous. L. innumerabilis ; comp. of in, not, and numero, to reckon. 

INOCULATE, v. To insert a bud or cutting of one plant in another; 
to insert the virus of the small pox, or to vaccinate. L. inoculo : in, 
into, and oculus, an eye ; meaning the eye of the bud. 

INO'DOROUS. adj. Without smell; not affecting the nose. L. ino. 
dorosus : in, without, and odos, smell. 

INOR'DINATE. adj. Irregular ; disorderly. L. inordinatus : in, 
without, and or do, a rule. 

IN PRO'PRIA PERSONA. In his (or her) own person ; in per- 
sonal attendance. L. 

IN'QUEST. s. Inquiry authorized by law. F. enqueste : L. in, into, 
and quaisitvs, p. part, of qu&ro, to seek or inquire. 

INQUIRE, v. To ask a question; to search. L. inquiro: in, into, 
and qu<zro, to seek. 

INQUISITION, s. Inquest; prison, established under papal autho- 
rity, for the examination and punishment of heretics. L. inquisitio. 
See INQUEST. 

INSA'NE. adj. Of unsound mind. L. insanus ;*comp. of in, not, and 
sanus, healthy. 

INSATIABLE, adj. Greedy, so as not to be satisfied. L. insatiabilis : 
in, not, and satio, to satisfy. 

INSA'TIATE. adj. Insatiable. L. insaliatus. See INSATIABLE. 

INSCRI'BE. v. To write in, or upon, or to dedicate. L. inscribo; 
from in, in, on, or to, and scribo, to write. 

INSCRIPTION, s. Something inscribed. L. inscriptio : inscriptus, 
p. part, of inscribo. Sae INSCRIBE. 

INSCRUTABLE, adj. Unsearchable ; undiscoverable. L. inscruta- 
bilis : in, not, and scruto, to explore. 

IN'SECT. s. A small animal, having a separation in the middle of its 
body, joined by a ligature; as in a common fly. L. insecius, cut or 
notched : in, into, and seco, to cut. 

INSERT', v. To place in, or into, or amongst. L. insertum, sup. of 
insero : in, in, and sero, to plant. 

INSIDIOUS, adj. Sly; treacherous. L. insidiosus ; from insideo ; 
comp. of in, in or upon, and sedeo, to sit. 

INSIGNIFICANT, adj. Without a meaning; unimportant; con- 
temptible. L. in, not, and_ significant. 

INSIN'UATE. v. To introduce gently ; to hint. L. insinuo ; from in, 
into, and sinus, the bosom. 

138 



INS-INT 

INSIPID, adj. Not affecting the palate ; uninteresting, L. insipidus : 

in, without, and sapor, savour. 
INSIST', v. Not to recede from terms or assertions ; to persist in. L. 

insisto : in, in, and sisto, to stand. 
IN'SOLENT. adj. Contemptuous ; haughty. L. insolens : in, not, and 

solens, part, of soleo, to be accustomed : (the derivation of this word 

cannot easily be explained.) 
INSOL'UBLE. adj. Not soluble ; not possible to be made fluid. L. in, 

not, and soluble. 
INSOL' VABLE. adj. Not solvable; inextricable. L. in, not, and 

solvable. 
INSOL'VENT. adj. Unable to pay. L. in, not, and solvent. 
INSPECT', v. To examine. L. inspecto : in, into, and specto, to eye 

carefully : spectu?n, sup. of specio, to see. 
INSPER'SION. s. A sprinkling upon. L. inspersio : inspersus, p. 

part, ofinspergo: in, upon, and spargo, to strew, or sprinkle. 
INSPIRE, v. To breathe into; to animate. L. inspiro: in, into, and 

spiro, to breathe. 
INSPIS'SATE. v. To thicken. L. in, into, and spissus, clammy. 
INSTALL', v. To perform a particular ceremony of admitting to an 

office or dignity. F. installer : en, into, and stalle, a seat for digni- 
fied clergymen : stalle, is from a Saxon word, denoting an enclosed 

place or bench. 
IN'STANT. s. A point of time ; adj. noting the present month. F. 

instant: L. instans, part, of insto : in, in, and sto, to stand. 
INSTAN'TER. adv. Instantly. L. See INSTANT. 
IN STATU QUO'. In the former state ; without any change. L. in, 

in, statu, abl. of status, the state, quo, abl. of qui, in which [it was.] 
IN'STIGATE. v. To urge or incite [to a crime.] L. instigo : in, 

into, and stigo, to goad. 
INSTIL', v. To infuse by drops ; to insinuate imperceptibly. L. in- 

stillo : in, into, and stillo, to drop, or trickle down. 
INSTINCT, s. The desire or aversion which causes action without 

the use of reason. L. instinctus, p. part, of instinguo : in, in, and 

stinguo, to move. 
IN'STITUTE. v. To establish, appoint, or enact. L. instituo : from 

in, in, and statuo, to erect. 
INSTRUCT', v. To teach ; to direct ; to inform. L. instructum, sup. 

of instruo : in, in, and struo, to pile up, or build. 
INSTRUMENT, s. A tool ; a machine ; a written document. L. in- 

strumentum ; from instruo. See INSTRUCT. 
IN SULAR. adj. Relating to an island. L. insularis : insula, an island. 
IN'SULATE. v. To make like an island ; to remove all connexion. 

See INSULAR. 
INSULT', v. To treat with insolence or contempt ; scornfully to tri- 
umph over. L. insulto : in, against, and saltus, p. part, of salio, to 

leap or dance. 
INSUPERABLE, adj. Not to be overcome ; insurmountable. L. in- 

superabilis : in, not, and supero, to climb over : super, above, and eo, 

to go. 
IN'TEGER. s. A whole ; a whole number. L. integer, entire. 
INTE'GRAL. adj. Whole; complete. F. integral. See INTEGER. 

139 



INT-INT 

INTEG'RITY. s. State of being undivided ; honesty. L. integritas. 
See INTEGER. 

IN'TELLECT. s. The understanding. L. intellectus: iruelligo, to 
understand ; intus, within, and lego, to gather. 

INTEL'LIGIBLE. adj. Possible to be understood. L. intelligibilis : 
intelligo, to understand. 

INTEND', v. To purpose; to design. L. intendo ; comp. of in, to- 
wards, and tendo, to stretch. 

INTEN'DANT. s. In France, means a superintending officer. F. in- 
tendo nt. See INTEND. 

INTENSE', adj. Denoting an extreme degree. L. intensus, p. part, 
of intendo : in, into, and tendo, to stretch. 

INTENT', adj. Anxiously attentive, or diligent. L. intentus, p. part. 
of intendo. See INTENSE. 

INTEN'TION. s. Purpose, or design. L. intentio. See INTEND. 

INTER', v. To bury. F. erderrer : L. in, into, and terra, the earth. 

INTERCALAR, or INTERCALARY, adj. Additional, to preserve 
the equation of time ; as, the 29th of February, in a leap year. L. 
intercalarius ; from intercalo, to insert. 

INTERCE'DE. v. To mediate. L. intercedo, to come between. 

INTERCEPT', v. To stop on the way. L. interceptum, sup. of inter- 
cipio : inter, between, and capio, to take. 

INTERCESSION, s. Mediation. L. intercessio: intercessum, sup. 
of. intercedo. See INTERCEDE. 

INTERC1PTENT. adj. Intercepting. L. intercipiens, part, of inter- 
cipio. See INTERCEPT. 

INTERCOS'TAL. adj. Between the ribs. F. intercostal : L. inter, 
between, and costa, a rib. 

IN'TERCOURSE. s. Communication; commerce. F. entrecours : L. 
inter, between, and carro, to run. 

INTERDICT', v. To restrain pendente lite; to prohibit; to forbid. 
L. inter dictum, sup. of interdico : inter, between, and dico, to say, 
or object. 

IN'TEREST. s. Concern; regard to private profit; advantage; parti- 
cipation ; money paid for the use of money : from inter sum, to be 
present: comp. of inter, between, or amongst, and sum, I am. 

INTERFE'RE. v. To interpose ; to come into collision. L. inter, be- 
tween, and fero, to bring. 

IN'TERIM. s. Intervening time. L. interim, in the meantime : from 
inter, between, 

INTE'RIOR. adj. Internal; inner. L. comparative of intra, within : 
pos. intra; comp. interior ; sup. intimus. 

INTERJACENT, adj. Lying between. L. interjacens, part, of inter- 
jaceo : inter, between, and jaceo, to lie. 

INTERJECTION, s. Interposition ; a word used, without premedi- 
tation, to denote some passion or emotion of the mind. L. interjec- 
lio : inter jectus, p. part, of inter jicio ; comp. of inter, between, and 
jacio, to throw. 

INTERLAP'SE. v. To intervene (in regard to time.) L. inter, be- 
tween, and lapse. 

INTERLI'NE. v. To write between lines. L. inter, between, and 
line, 

140 



INT-INT 

INTERLOCUTORY, adj. Consisting of dialogue ; preparatory to a 

final decision. F. interlocutoire : L. inter, between, and locutus, 

part, ofloquor, to speak. 
IN'TERLUDE. s. An intervening entertainment. L. inter, between, 

and ludus, an entertainment. 
INTERMEDIATE, adj. Intervening; interposed. F. inter mediat ; 

L. inter, between, and medius, the middle. 
INTER' MINABLE. adj. Never ending; immense. L. in, not, and 

terminable. 
INTERMIS'SION. s. Act of intermitting; pause. L. intermissio ; 

inlermissus, p. part, of intermilto. See INTERMIT. 
INTERMIT, v. To stop, but not finally. L. intermitto ; comp. of 

inter, between, and miito, to send. 
INTER'NAL. adj. Interior. L. internus ; infra, within. 
INTERNATIONAL, adj. Relating to the reciprocal intercourse or 

commerce of one nation with another. L. inter, between, and na- 
tional. 
INTERPOLATE, v. To insert, with an evil design. L. interpolo; 

inter, between, and polio, to make smooth ; meaning, to remove, by 
' forgery, something which opposes our own designs. 
INTERPOSE', v. To place between; to interfere; to mediate. L. 

inter posit um, sup. of interpono ; inter, between, and pono, to place. 
INTERPRET, v. To explain ; to translate. L. interprelor ; interpres, 

an interpreter : inter, between. 
INTERREGNUM, s. The term during which a throne is vacant. L. 

interregnum ; comp. of inter, between, and regnvm, a reign. 
INTERROGATE, v. To question ; to put questions in writing, be- 

tween the commencement and conclusion of a suit in chancery. L. 

interrogo ; inter, between, and rogo, to ask. 
IN TERRO'REM. As a threat, or warning. L. in, for the purpose 

of, and terror em, accus. of terror, fear. 
INTERRUPT', v. To hinder, by interposition ; to separate. L. inter- 

ruptum, sup. of interrumpo ; inter, between, and rumpo, to break. 
INTERSECT', v. To cut, or pass between. L. intersectum, sup. of 

interseco; comp. of inter, between, and seco, to cut. 
INTERSPERSE', v. To scatter amongst. L. inter, amongst, and 

sparsum, sup. of spar go, to sprinkle. 
INTER'STICE. s. Intervening space, between matter. F. interstice : 

L. interslitium ; from inter, between, and status, part, of sto, to 

stand. 
IN'TERVAL. s. Intervening space, as regards either matter or time. 

L. inter vallum ; inter, between, and vallum, a wall. 
INTERVE'NE. v. To interpose ; to elapse. L. intervenio ; from inter, 

between, and venio, to come. 
INTERVENTION, s. Interposition ; lapse of time. L. intenqntio ; 

inter, between, and ventum, sup. of venio, to come. 
INTESTATE, adj. Without having made a will. L. intestatus ; in, 

without, and testatus, part, of testof, to witness. 
INTES'TINE. adj. Internal. L. intestinus ; intus, within. 
IN'TTMATE. adj. Familiar ; near. L. intimus, innermost. See IN- 
TERIOR. 

141 



INT— INV 

IN'TIMATE. v. To hint ; to mention indirectly. Low L. intimo ; 

intimus, very deep, or secret. 
INTIM'IDATE. v. To make fearful. L. in, into, and timidus, fear- 

ful : timor, fear. 
INTI'RE. adj. See ENTIRE. 

INTOLERABLE, adj. Insufferable. L. in, not, and tolerable. 
INTONA'TION. s. Act of thundering-; an inward tone, peculiar to 

the speech, of some nations. L. intono, to thunder. 
IN TO' TO. Entirely ; wholly. L. in, in, and toto, abl. of lotus, whole, 

or wholly. 
INTOXICATE, v. A word which originally signified to imbue with 

poison ; but now, to deprive of one's reasoning faculties, by success 

or joy ; also, to make drunk. L. in, into, and toxicum, poison. 
INTRANSITIVE, adj. A verb intransitive signifies an action, but 

conveys no effect to any object; as, " I walk." L. in, not, and tran- 
sitive. 
IN TR AN' SITU. On the passage ; whilst passing from one place to 

another. L. in, in, and transitu, abl. of transitus, a passage. 
INTREPID, adj. Fearless; daring. L. intrepidus ; from in, not, and 

trepidus, trembling, fearful. 
IN TRICATE. adj. Perplexed ; obscure. L. intricatus ; in, in, and 

tricatus, part, of tricor, to baffle. 
INTRINSIC, adj. Inherent; independent of external relation. L. 

intrinsecus ; intra, within, and se, itself. 
INTRODU'CE. v. To conduct or usher into a place, or to a person ; 

to bring into notice or practice. L. introduce* ; intra, within, and 

duco, to lead. 
INTROSPECTION, s. The act of looking- within. L. introspectus, 

p. part, of introspicio : intro, within, and specio, to see. 
INTRU'DE. v. To enter without permission or invitation ; to inter- 

pose with rudeness. L. intrudo ; comp. of in, into, and trudo, to 

thrust. 
INTRUSION, s. The act of intruding. L. intrusio ; intrusum, sup. 

of intrudo. See INTRUDE. 
INTUITIVE, adj. Seen by the mind, without the agency of testi- 
mony or argument. Low L. intuitivus ; intus, within. 
IN UNDATE. v. To overflow. L. inundo ; in, into, and unda, a 

wave. 
INU'RE. v. To accustom ; to harden. L. inuro ; to brand, or print 

into : from in, into, and uro, to burn. 
INVA'DE. v. To enter hostilely ; to encroach upon. L. invado ; in, 

into, and vado, to march. 
INVALTD. adj. Weak; of no force. L. invalidus ; in, not, and valeo, 

to be strong. 
INVALID', s. One disabled by sickness or a wound. See the ad- 
jective. 
INVALTD ATE. v. To weaken, with regard to evidence ; to annul. 

See INVALID. 
INVA'SION. s. The act of invading. L. invasio ; invasum, sup. of 

invado. See INVADE. 
INVECTIVE, s. Censure; repronch. F. invective: L. invectio ; in- 

vectvs, p. part. oHnveho. See INVEIGH. 

142 



INV— IRO 

INVEIGH', v. To utter an invective. L. inveho ; from in, against, 
and veho, to carry. 

INVENT', v. To produce something new and ingenious; to fabricate. 
L. inventum, sup. of invenio, to find : in, upon, and venio, to come. 

INVENTORY, s. A catalogue of moveable property, made by a judi- 
cial officer, in pursuance of legal process; a list; an account. F. 
intentoire : L. inventarium ; invent am, sup. of invenio, to find: in, 
to, and venio, to come. 

INVERSE', adj. Inverted. L. inversus, p. part, of inverto. See IN- 
VERT. 

INVERT', v. To reverse ; to place upside-down. L. inverto ; comp. 
of in, opposite to, and verto, to turn. 

INVEST', v. To dress ; to install ; to adorn ; to enclose, or surround. 
L. investio ; in, into, and vestis, a garment. 

INVES'TIGATE. v. To examine. L. investigo ; in, into, and vestigo, 
to trace : vestigium, a track or footstep. 

INVET'ERATE. adj. Obstinate from long continuance. L. invetera- 
tus ; p. part, of invetero ; in, in, and veteris, gen. of vetus, old. 

INVIDTOUS. adj. Envious; malignant; producing envy or malig- 
nancy. L. invidiosus ; invidia, envy : in, into, and video, to see or 
look. 

INVIG'ORATE. v. To strengthen, or enliven. L. in, into, and vigour. 

INVINCIBLE, adj. Unconquerable; insuperable. F. invincible : L. 
in, not, and vinco, to conquer. 

INVIOLATE, or INVI'OLATED. adj. Uninjured ; unbroken. L. 
inviolatus ; from in, not, and violatus, (p. part, of violo,) hurt. 

INVISIBLE, adj. Imperceptible by the sight. L. in, not, and visible. 

INVI'TE. v. To allure; to ask ; to intreat. L. invito ; in, to, and via, 
a way. 

INVOCATION, s. Supplication ; invitation. L. invocatio. See IN- 
VOKE. 

INVO'KE. v. To supplicate ; to invite. L. invoco ; comp. of in, to, 
and voco, to call. 

INVOL'UNTARY. adj. Not desired ; not intended. L. in, not, and 
voluntary. 

INVOLUTION, s. Inwrapment ; entanglement. L. involutio ; invo- 
lutus, p. part, of involvo. See INVOLVE. 

INVOLVE', v. Toinwrap; to comprise; to entangle. L. involvo ; in, 
in, and volvo, to roll. 

IO'TA. s. A jot ; a tittle ; the least quantity imaginable. Iota, (t) the 
smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. 

IPSE DIXIT. The ipse dixit of any person, denotes his mere, un- 
supported assertion. L. ipse, he, dixit, said : dico, to say. 

IP SO FACTO. By the act itself; by the mere doing of a thing. L. 

IRAS'CIBLE. adj. Easily enraged. L. irascibilis. See IRE. f 

IRE. s. Wrath ; anger. L. ira ; from the G. eir, a tempest. 

I'RIS. s. The rainbow; resemblance of a rainbow; the circle around 
the pupil of the eye; the fleur-de-luce. L. iris, the rainbow. G. 
iris ; eiro, to announce. 

IRONTCAL. adj. Expressing irony. See IRONY. 

I'RONY. s. A mode of speech, in which the meaning is contrary to 
the words. L. ironia : G. eironeia : eiron, a dissembler. 

143 



IRR— JET 

IRRA'DIATE. v. To illumine; to brighten. L. ir radio ; in, into, and 

radius, a ray of light. 
IRREFRAGABLE, adj. Not possible to be confuted. L. irrefraga- 

bilis ; ir., not, and refractus, p. part, of refringo, to break open : re, 

again, and frango, to break. 
IRREF'UTABLE. adj. Not to be overthrown by argument. L. in, 

not, and refutable. See REFUTE. 
IRREL'ATIVE. adj. Without relation ; unconnected. L. in, not, and 

relative. 
IRREL'EVANT. adj. Unassisting ; not aptly adduced. L. in, not, and 

relevant. 
IRREMEABLE, adj. Admitting no return ; not to be repassed. L. 

irremeabilis : from in, not, and reineo, to return : re, back, and eo, 

to go. 
IRRESISTIBLE, adj. Superior to opposition. L. in, not, and re- 
sistible. 
IR'RIGATE. v. To overflow with water, as a means of fertilizing. L. 

irrigo : in, upon, and rigo, to water. 
IRRIG'UOUS. adj. Moist. See IRRIGATE. 

IR'RITATE. v. To excite anger ; to provoke. L. irrito. See IRE. 
IRRUP'TION. s. Violent invasion; inroad. L. irruptio : irruptus, p. 

part, of irrumpo : from in, into, and rumpo, to break. 
IS'OLATED. adj. Detached. F. isole : L. solus, alone. 
ISOSCELES, adj. Relating to an angle which has only two sides 

equal. L. isosceles : G. isos, equal, and skelos, a leg. 
IST'HMUS. s. A neck of land which joins a peninsula to a continent. 

L. isthmus : G. isthmos : istemi, to append. 
I'TE.VJ. adv. Also; s. an individual thing. L. item, also. 
IT'ERATE. v. To repeat. L. ilero : ito, to go often. 
ITINERANT, adj. Wandering. F. itinerant : L. itineris, gen. of 

iter, a journey : from itum, sup. of eo, to go. 
ITINERARY, adj. Relating to a journey. L. itinerarius. See 

ITINERANT. 

J. 

JACOBIN, s. A member of a noted faction in Paris, to whose designs 
the execution of Louis XVI. is attributed ; so called, from their meet- 
ing at a monastery which had belonged to Jacobine friars. 

JACOBITE, s. A partisan of James II. of England, after his dethrone- 
ment; and also of his descendants. L. Jacobus, James. 

JACULA'TION. s. The action of darting, throwing, or lancing, as of 
missive weapons, lu.jaculor, to dart. 

JANTTOR. s. A porter ; a gale-keeper. L. from janua, a gate. 

JANUARY, s. The first month. L. Januarius : from Janus, a hea- 
then god ; to whom, it was consecrated by the Romans. 

JAUNDICE, s. A distemper which changes the skin and eyes to a 
yellow colour. F. jaunisse : jaun, yellow. 

JEJUNE, adj. Deficient in matter ; unaffecting. L. jejunus, bare, 
hungry. 

JEL'LY. s. A glutinous substance. F. gelee : geler, to freeze. L. 
gelu, frost. 

JET. s. A small rapid issue of any fluid. F. jet : from jetter, to throw. 

144 



JET— JUR 

JET VEAU. s. An artificial water-spout. Y.jet, a spout, de, of, eau, 
water. 

JEU D' ESPRIT, s. A witticism. F. jeu, play, de, of, esprit, hu- 
mour. 

JOCO'SE. adj. Facetious ; merry. L. jocosus : jocus, a jest. 

JOCULAR, adj. Facetious. L. jocularis : jocus, a jest. 

JOCUND, s. Merry; gay. L. jocundus : jocus, a jest. 

JOINT, adj. Shared amongst two or more ; united in the same pos- 
session ; combined. F. joint: L. junctus, p. part, of jungo, to join. 

JOINTURE, s. Strictly, signifies a joint estate, limited to both hus- 
band and wife j it also denotes a sole estate, limited to the wife only. 
See JOINT. 

JOKE. s. A jest. L. jocus, a jest. 

JOL'LY. adj. Cheerful ; agreeable. F. joli : L. jovialis. See JOVIAL. 

JOT. s. An iota ; the least quantity imaginable. Iota, (t) the smallest 
letter in the Greek alphabet. 

JOUR'NAL. s. A diary ; a compendium from a merchant's daj'-book. 
F. journal : jour, a day. 

JOUR'NEY. s. Passage by land. F. journee, a day's work, or day's 
travel : jour, a day. 

JOUR'NEYMAN. s. Strictly, any man hired to work by the day, but, 
in fact, any mechanic who is hired to work for another, whether by 
the month, year, or other term. See JOURNEY. 

JO' VIAL. adj. Merry. L. jovialis; from Jovis, gen. of Jupiter. See 
the heathen mythology. 

JU'BILEE. s. Amongst the Jews, every fiftieth year, at which time 
all the slaves were liberated, &c. ; a season of great public joy and 
festivity. Li.jubilum, a joyful shout. 

JUDGE, s. One authorized to determine any cause or question, ac- 
cording to right, and the law, &c. L. judex : jus, right, and dico, 
to say. 

JUDICATURE, s. Power of distributing justice ; court of justice. 
F. judicature. See JUDICIAL. 

JUDICIAL, adj. Relating or belonging to courts of law. L.judicia- 
lis: judex, a judge. 

JUDICIARY, adj. Relating or belonging to judicature, lu.judicia- 
rius. See JUDICIAL. 

JUDICIOUS, adj. Wisely judged ; prudent. F.judicieux: Jj.judicis, 
gen. of judex, a judge. 

JUG'ULAR. adj. Belonging to the throat. L. jugulum, the throat. 

JUNCTION, s. Act of joining ; point of contact ; union, h.junctio : 
junctus, p. part, of jungo, to join. 

JUNCTURE, s. Tiie critical point of time in which two events seem 
to meet. L. junctura : juncturus, future part, of jungo, to join. 

JUNE. s. The sixth month. L.Junius; from Juno, the imaginary 
wife of the heathen deity, Jupiter. 

JU'NIOR. adj. The younger. L. junior, younger; compar. of juvenis, 
young. 

JURE D I VI' NO. By divine law. L. abl. of jus, and divinus. 

JURE HUM A' NO. By human law. L. abl. of jus, and humanus. 

JURID'ICAL. adj. Acting, or used, in the distribution of justice. L. 
juridicalis : juridicus, a judge : juris, gen. of jus, right. 

n 145 



JUR— LAC 

JURISDICTION, s. Legal authority ; limited extent of power. L. 
jurisdictio ; from juris, gen. of jus, law, and dictio, a declaration. 

JURISPRUDENCE, s. The science of law ; the knowledge of the 
laws, &c, in a state or community, necessary for the due adminis- 
tration of justice. L. jurisprudentia : juris, gen. of jus, law, and 
prudentia, science. 

JURIST, s. One who professes the science of law. F.juriste: juris, 
gen. of jus, law. 

JURY. s. An assembly of persons sworn to discover and declare the 
truth. L. juro, to swear. 

JUS'TICE. s. St ict legal right; equity; punishment, (opposed to 
mercy;) a judge. F. justice: la. jus, right. 

JUS'TIFY. v. To clear from imputed guilt ; to defend. Y.justifier : 
L. Justus, right, and facio, to make. 

JUVENILE, adj. Youthful; relating or belonging to youth. L. ju- 
venilis : juvenis, young. 

JUXTAPOSITION, s. Proximity. L. juxta, near to, and position. 

K. 

KALEIDOSCOPE, s. An optical instrument, invented by Brewster 
of Edinburgh, which gives to substances placed within it, an almost 
unlimited variety of beautiful appearances. G. kalos, beautiful, eidos, 
form, and skopeo, to view. 

KAL'ENDS. s. A term in the Roman kalendar. — The Romans used 
to reckon the days of their months by the kalends, nones, and ides. 
Romulus began his months always upon the first day of the moon ; 
and was followed in this by the authors of the other accounts, to 
avoid the altering of the immoveable feasts ; therefore, every new 
moon, one of the inferior priests used to assemble the people, in the 
capitol, and call over as many days as there were between that and 
the nones ; and so from the old word cnlo, or the Greek kaleo, to call, 
the first of these days had the name of kalend. KennetVs Rom. Ant. 
107. 

KIL'OGRAM. s. In the new system of French weights and measures, 
a thousand grains. G. kilioi, a thousand, and gramma, a grain. 

KILOMETER, s. In the French system of measures, a thousand 
meters. G. kilioi, a thousand, and metron, a meter. 

KNAVE, s. This word, now signifying a cunning rogue, originally 
signified an idle, ignorant clown. L. ignavus, idle, slothful. 



LAB'IAL. adj. Uttered by the lips ; relating or belonging to the lips. 

L. labialis ; from labium, a lip. 
LABOR' ATORY. s. A chemist's work-room. F. labor atoire: L. Za. 

boro, to labour. 
LABO'RIOUS. adj. Fatiguing; diligent. L. laboriosus ; from labor, 

labour. 
LA'BOUR. s. Painful exertion of strength; work; travail. F. labeur: 

L. labor, labour. 
LACERATE, v. To tear. L. lacero, to tear. 

146 



LAC— LAT 

LACH'RYMAL. adj. Generating tears. L. lachryma, a tear. 

LACHRYMATORY, s. A vessel in which tears were gathered, in 
honour of the dead. L. lachryma, a tear. 

LACON'IC. adj. In few words ; brief. L. laconicus ; from Laconia, 
the country of the Spartans, who delivered their sentiments in few 
words. 

LAC'TARY. adj. Milky ; having milk. L. lactarius : lac, milk. 

LACTATES, s. Salts formed from the lactic acid. L. lac, milk. 

LACTEAL, adj. Milky ; conveying chyle of the colour of milk. s. L. 
lac, milk. 

LACTEOUS. adj. Milky. L. lacteus : lac, milk. 

LACTES'CENT. adj. Producing milk, or a white juice resembling 
milk. L. lactescens, part, oflactesco: lac, milk. 

LACTOM'ETER. s. An instrument which shows the quantity of milk 
contained in any fluid. L. lac, milk, and G. metreo, to measure. 

LATTY. s. The people, as distinguished from the clergy. See LAY. 

LAM'BENT. adj. Gliding over gently. L. lambens, part, of lambo, 
to lick. 

LAMBOTDAL. adj. Having the form of the Greek letter A, lambda. 

LAMTNiE. s. Thin plates or layers. L. lamina, plural of lamina, a 
thin plate of metal. 

LAN'GUAGE. s. Human speech ; national tongue ; expression. F. 
langage : L. lingua, a tongue. 

LAN'GUID. adj. Faint; feeble. L. languidus ; from langueo, to lan- 
guish. 

LANIF'EROUS. adj. Bearing or producing wool. L. lanifer : lana, 
wool, and fero, to bear. 

LANIG'EROUS. adj. Bearing wool. L. laniger ; from lana, wool, 
and gero, to bear. 

LANUGTNOUS. adj. Downy; covered with soft hair. L. lanugino- 
sa ; from lanugo, down. 

LAPTDARY. s. One who deals in gems, or finishes them. F. lapi- 
daire : L. lapis, a stone. 

LAPID'EOUS. adj. Stony; of the nature of stone. L. lapideus : lapi- 
dis, gen. of lapis, a stone. 

LAPIDES'CENT. adj. Growing or turning to stone. L. lapidescens, 
part, of lapidesco : lapis, a stone. 

LAPSE, s. Flow ; period passed ; small error. L. lapsus, part, of la- 
bor, to glide, or slip. 

LARCENY, s. Theft, committed without violence. F. larcin: L. 
latrocinium : latro, a servant, a hired soldier, (anciently held in dis- 
repute,) a robber. 

LARGESS', s. A present ; a gift ; a bounty. F. largesse : L. largio, 
to give liberally, to bestow. 

LARVA, s. An insect in the caterpillar state; the state of an insect 
when the animal is masked, and before it has attained its winged or 
perfect state. L. larva, a mask. 

LARYNX, s. The windpipe or trachea. G. larunx, the throat. 

LASCIVIOUS, adj. Lewd. L. lascivus : laxus, loose. See LAX. 

LASSITUDE, s. Weariness. L. lassiludo ; from laxus, loose, un- 
strung. 

LATENT, adj. Concealed. L. latens, part, of latco, to lurk. 

147 



LAT— LEG 

LAT'ERAL. adj. Relating to the side ; or to a motion from side to 
side. L. lateralis; from laius, a side. 

A LATE' RE. A legate, a latere, is a pope's legate or envoy, so called 
because sent from his side, from amongst his favourites and coun- 
sellors. 

LAT'INISM. s. A mode of speech peculiar to the Latin language. 

LATITAT, s. A writ, issuing from the King's Bench, in England ; 
which supposes the defendant to be concealed. L. latitat, (from la- 
tito,) he lurks. 

LATTTUDE. s. Breadth ; extensive range ; distance from the equa- 
tor. L. latitudo ; from latus, broad : latus, (p. part, of fero,) borne, 
or carried ; that is, extended. 

LATITUDINA'RIAN. s. One who thinks or acts without restraining 
himself. L. latitudo. See LATITUDE. 

LAUD. v. To praise highly ; to extol. L. laudo, to praise. 

LAUD'ABLE. adj. Praiseworthy. L. laudabilis ; from laudo, to 
praise. 

LAUN'DRY. s. A house, or room, in which clothes are washed. F. 
lavanderie : L. lavo. to wash. 

LAUR'EAT, or LAUREATE, adj. Decked with a laurel, or sup- 
posed to be so honoured. L. laureatus : laurea, a laurel-tree, or 
garland of laurels. 

LAVATORY, s. A medicinal wash. See LAVE. 

LAVE. v. To wash ; to bathe. L. lavo, to wash. 

LA'VER. s. A vessel for washing ; a large bason. F. lavoir : laver, 
to wash. L. lavo. 

LAVISH, adj. Prodigal. L. lavo, to throw or shake off. 

LAX. adj. Loose ; slack ; vague, s. A looseness, or diarrhoea. L. 
laxus, loose. 

LAXTTY. s. Looseness; slackness; want of precision. L. laxitas. 
See LAX. 

LAY. adj. Regarding the laity. G. laos, the people. 

LAYMAN, s. One who is not a clergyman. See LAY. 

LEAGUE, s. A confederacy ; a combination, either of interest or 
friendship. F. ligue : L. ligo, to bind. 

LEASE, s. A contract, by which a temporary possession is granted, 
of houses, lands, &c. F. laisser : L. laxo, to unloose, or set at 
liberty. 

LEAVEN, s. That which raises bread, and is usually called yeast or 
barm ; something which makes a general change in the mass ; in 
general, denoting corruption. F. levain : L. levo, to raise. 

LECTURE, s. An instructive discourse. F. lecture : L. lego, (legere,) 
to select, or to read. A lecture, as distinguished from a sermon, 
seems to denote selection : being explanatory of several passages of 
Scripture, and not referring to a particular text. In general, the 
term alludes to reading. 

LEG' AC Y. s. Chattel property bequeathed by a last will. L. legatum : 
from lego, (legare,) to send, to bequeath. 

LE'GAL. adj. Lawful ; relating or belonging to law. L. legalis ; 
from legis, gen. of lex, a law. 

LEG' ATE. s. An ambassador; a papal ambassador or commissioner. 
L. legatus ; from lego, to send, or intrust. 

148 



LEG— LET 

LEGATEE', s. One to whom a legacy has been willed. L. Icgatum, 

a legacy. See LEGACY. 
LE'GEND. s. A chronicle of the lives of saints ; any memorial or re- 
lation ; nny inscription, particularly on coins and medals. L. le- 

genda, [tiling-] to be read; from lego (legere.) 
LEGERDEMAIN', s. Sleight of hand. F. legerete, nimbleness, de, of, 

main, the hand. 
LEGIBLE, adj. Such as can be read. L. legibilis ; from lego, to 

read. 
LE'GION. s. A Roman battalion, consisting of about five thousand 

men. L. legio ; from lego, to collect. 
LEGISLATOR, s. One who makes laws. L. legislator : leges, laws, 

and latum, sup. offero, to carry, or propose. 
LEGITIMATE, adj. Regular; proper; born in wedlock. L. legitu 

mvs, lawful; from legis, gen. of lex, a law. 
LEGU'MINOUS. adj. Of the pulse kind, as beans and peas ; such as 

are not reaped, but gathered by the hand. L. legumen, pulse ; from 

lego, to gather. 
LEISURE, s. Freedom from business or hurry ; convenience of time. 

F. loisir ; from the L. laxus, loose. 
LENIENT, adj. Assuaging; mild; merciful. L. leniens, part, of 

lenio, to assuage ; lenis, mild. 
LENITIVE, s. Something to ease pain. F. lenitif. See LENITY. 
LENITY, s. Mildness ; tenderness. L. lenitas : lenis, mild. 
LENS. s. An optical glass which is convex on two sides. L. lens, a 

kind of pulse, called lentil, — from a resemblance of that glass to the 

form of its seed. 
LENTICULAR, adj. Of the form of a lens. F. lenticulaire : L. len- 

tis, gen. of lens. See LENS. 
LEN'TIFORM. adj. Having the shape of a lens. L. lentis, of a lens, 

and forma, figure. 
LENTIG'INOUS. adj. Scurfy ; partaking of the lentigo. L. lentigu 

nosus. See LENTIGO. 
LEN'TIGO. s. A freckly or scurfy eruption on the skin. L. from 

lends, gen. of lens, a kind of pea or pulse, called a lentil. 
LE'O. s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. leo, a lion. 
LE'ONINE. adj. Belonging to or resembling a lion. L. leoninus : 

leo, a lion. 
LEPER, s. One having the leprosy. See LEPROSY. 
LEPROSY, s. A disorder which covers the body with a kind of white 

scales. L. lepra : G. lepra : lepros, scabby. 
LEP'ROUS. adj. Infected with leprosy. L.'leprosus. See LEPROSY. 
LES'SON. s. Any thing read or repeated to a teacher ; precept ; por- 
tion of scripture read in divine service. F. legon : L. lectio : lego, 

to read. 
LETHARGY, s. A morbid drowsiness. G. leihargia ; from lethe, 

forg-etfulness, and argos, slothful, dull. 
LET'TER. s. One of the elements of a syllable ; an epistle ; literal 

meaning. F. lettre : L. litera, a letter. 
LETTRES DE CACHET. Private letters or mandates, (sealed 

letters) formerly issued by the kings of France, under the royal sig- 
net, for the apprehension of persons obnoxious to the court. F. 
n* 149 



LEV— LIS 

LEVA'RI FA' CI AS. A writ which commands the sheriff (o levy 
the plaintiff's debt, whereby that officer may seize the real estate of 
the defendant, and receive the rents and profits, till satisfaction be 
made to the plaintiff. L. 

LEVATOR, s. A surgical instrument, for raising depressed parts of 
the skull. L. levator : from levo, to lift. 

LEVEE', s. An assemblage of persons at a court ; an artificial bank 
of a river. F. levee : from lever, to raise. 

LEV'EN. s. — See LEAVEN; which is the most common, though not 
the most correct, mode, of spelling the word. 

LEVER, s. One of the mechanical powers. F. levier : L. levo, to lift. 

LEVIGATE, s. To reduce to very fine powder ; to mix until a liquor 
becomes smooth and uniform. L. Icevigo : from lavis, or levis, 
smooth. 

LEVITY, s. Lightness ; unsteadiness ; trifling gayety. L. levitas : 
from levis y light. 

LEVY. v. To raise, — applied to money, or an army. F. lever : L. 
levo, to raise. 

LEXICOGRAPHER, s. A writer of dictionaries. G. lexicon, a dic- 
tionary, and grapho, to write. 

LEXTCON. s. A dictionary. G. lexicon : lexis, a word, and eikon, a 
representation, or image. 

LEX MERC ATO'RIA. The law of merchants. L. 

LEX NATU'RJE. The law of nature. L. lex, a law, and naturcB, 
gen. of natura, nature. 

LEX NON SCRIP' TA. Unwritten law; the Common Law of Eng- 
land. L. lex, a law, non, not, scripla, (from scribo,) written. 

LEX SCRIP' TA. Written or statute law. L. lex, a law, scripta, 
(from scribo,) written. 

LEX TALIO NIS. The law of retaliation ; as, " an eye for an eye, 
a tooth for a tooth." L. lex, a law, and talionis, gen. of talio, like 
for like. 

LIBATION, s. Wine poured upon the ground, in honour of a hea- 
then god. L. libatio : G. leibo, to pour out. 

LI'BEL. s. A defamatory writing ; a species of proceeding in law. L. 
libellus, a little book, a lampoon ; from liber, a book. 

LIB'ERAL. adj. Becoming a gentleman ; munificent ; generous. L. 
liberalis : from liber, free. 

LIB'ERATE. v. To set free. L. libero : from liber, free. 

LIBER'TICTDE. s. A traitor to the liberties of his country ; a de- 
stroyer of liberty. L. libertas, liberty, and ccedo, to kill. 

LIB'ERTINE. s. A licentious person. F. libertin : L. liber, free, un- 
controlled. 

LIB'ERTY. s. Freedom ; privilege ; a district privileged or exempted. 
L. libertas : from liber, free. 

LIBIDTNOUS. adj. Lustful ; lewd. L. libidinosus : libido, lust. 

LI'BRA. s. One of the signs of the zodiac. L. libra, a balance. 

LIBRARY, s. A place for books ; a large collection of books. L. 
liber, a book. 

LIBRATION. s. The state of being balanced. L. libratio : libra, a 
balance. 

150 



LIC— LIT 

LI'CENSE. s. Permission; permission allowed by on e's-self beyond a 

proper limit. L. licentia : from liceo, to be lawful. 
LICENTIATE, s. One who has obtained a collegiate degree. L. 

licentia, permission. 
LICEN'TIOUS. adj. Unrestrained by law or moral feeling. L. licen- 

tiosus : from licentia, arbitrary license. 
LIC'TOR. s. A person who attended the Roman consuls, to apprehend 

or punish criminals. L. lictor : probably from ligo, to bind. 
LIEGE, adj. Subject; sovereign. F. lige : L. ligo, to bind. 
LI'ENTERY. s. A species of bodily looseness, or diarrhoea. F. lien. 

terie : G. leion, smooth, and enteron, an intestine. 
LIEU. In lieu, means in the place of. F. lieu, place, stead. 
LIEUTENANT, s. A deputy; an officer next in rank to a captain. 

F. from lieu, place, or stead, and tenant, part, oftenir, to hold. 
LIG'AMENT. s. That which unites or connects ; bond. L. ligamen- 

tum : from ligo, to bind. 
LIG'ATURE. s. A bandage. L. ligatura : from ligo, to bind. 
LIGNEOUS, adj. Partaking of wood. L. ligneus : lignum, wood. 
LIMIT, s. Boundary ; utmost reach. F. limile : L. limes, a boundary. 
LIMTID. adj. Transparent. L. limpidus. See LYMPH. 
LIN'EAL. adj. Composed of lines; descending in a direct family line. 

L. linealis : from linea, a line. 
LIN'EAMENT. s. Feature. L. lineamentum : from tinea, a line. 
LINEN, s. Cloth made of flax or hemp. L. linum, flax. 
LINGUA DENTAL, adj. Uttered by the combined action of the 

tongue and teeth. L. lingua, a tongue, and dens, el tooth. 
LINGUIST, s. One skilled in languages. L. lingua, a tongue or 

language. 
LIN'JMENT. s. A species of ointment. L. linimenlum : from linio, 

to rub softly. 
LIPOTH'YMY. s. A swoon. G. leipothemia : comp. of leipo, to fail, 

and ihumos, the mind. 
LIQUATION, s. The act of melting ; capacity to be melted. L. liquo, 

to melt. 
LIQ'UEFY. v. To become liquid ; to make liquid. L. liquefio : from 

liquor, a fluid, and ,/io, to become. 
LIQUES'CENT. adj. Melting ; of a melting nature. L. liquescens, 

part, of liquesco, to grow liquid : liquo, to melt. 
LIQ'UID. adj. Melted; fluid; soft. L. tiquidus : liqueo, to melt. 
LIQ'UIDATE. v. To lessen a debt by degrees. L. liqueo, to dissolve. 
LIQ'UOR. s. Any thing fluid ; vulgarly, intoxicating drink. L. liquor. 

See LIQUID. 
LIT' ANY. s. A form of prayer. G. litaneia, a supplication. 
LIT'ERAL. adj. Not figurative ; following the words precisely ; con- 
sisting of letters. L. lit era, a letter. 
LIT'ERARY. adj. Relating to letters, or learning. L. literarius : from 

literal, letters, or learning : litera, a letter. 
LIT'ERATE. adj. Learned; instructed in learning and science. L. 

literatus : litera, a letter. 
LITER A'TI. s. The learned. L. pi. of literatus, learned; from litera, 

letters. 
LITERATIM, s. Letter by letter. L. literatim : from litera, a letter. 

151 



LIT-LON 

LITHOGRAPHY. *. The art of engraving, or of tracing letters, 

figures, or other designs, on stone, and of transferring them to paper, 

by impression. G. lithos, a stone, and grapho, to write. 
LITHONTRIP'TIC. adj. Medicine for dissolving the stone in the 

kidneys or bladder. G. lithos, a stone, and tribo, to waste or digest. 
Ll'i'tlO l'OMY. s. The art of cutting for the stone. G. lithos, a stone, 

and tem.no, to cut. 
LITIGATE, v. To contest in law. L. litigo : comp. of litis, gen. of 

lis, strife, and ago, to make. 
LITIGIOUS, adj. Inclined to judicial contest ; given to the practice 

of contending in law ; disputable; controvertible. L. litigios us. See 

LITIGATE. 
LIT'TER. s. Straw for cattle to lie on ; a bed for carrying a sick or 

luxurious person ; a brood of young, (supposed to be in a bed.) F. 

litiere : lit, a bed. 
LITURGY, s. Form of prayers; form of public devotion. G. leitour- 

gia : litos, public, and ergon, a work. 
LIVERY, s. The act of giving possession; release from wardship; 

the state of being kept at a certain rate ; the clothes given to ser- 
vants ; a particular dress. F. livrer, to deliver : L. libero. At the 

meeting of the plenary courts, Pepin was obliged to give dresses to 

the officers of his household : thence, came the word livery, because 

these dresses were delivered at the king's expense. 
LIVID, adj. Discolour.ed, as with a blow. L. lividus : from liveo, to 

be black and blue, or pale and wan. 
LIXIVIUM, s. A fluid impregnated with a salt. L. lixivium ; from 

lix, ley made with ashes. 
LOBE. s. In anatomy, any fleshy, protuberant part, as the lobes of the 

lungs, the lobes of the ears. G. lobos, the lower part of the ear. 
LOCAL, adj. Relating to place; in a particular place. F. local: L. 

locus, a place. 
LOCA'TE. v. To establish in a particular place. L. loco : from locus, 

a place. 
LOCOMOTION, s. Act of moving from one place to another. L. loco, 

(abl. of locus,) from a place, and motion. 
LO'CUM TE'NENS. A deputy ; a temporary substitute. L. locum, 

a place, and tenens, holding : (locus and teneo.) 
LO'CUS SIGIL'LI, or L.S. The place of the seal. L. locus, a place, 

and sigilli, gen. of sigillum, a seal. 
LOG' ARITHMS. s. A species of arithmetic, invented by lord Napier. 

G. logos, a ratio, and arithmos, a number. 
LOGIC, s. The art of reasoning. L. logice : G. logos, a word, speech, 

or thought. 
LOGOM'ACHY. s. A contest in, or about, words. G. logomachia : 

comp. of logos, a word, and mache, a battle. 
LONGEVITY, s. Length of life. L. longcevus, long-lived ; from 

longus, long, and <zvum, time. 
LONGIM ETRY. s. The art of measuring distances. L. longus, long, 

and G. metreo, to measure. 
LON'GITUDE. s. Length ; distance from east to west. L. longitudo : 

from longus, long. 

152 



LOQ— LUS 

LOQUA'CIOUS. adj. Talkative. L. loquacis, gen. of loquax, talkative i 

loquor, to speak. 
LOR'ICATED. adj. Plated over, in the manner of a crocodile. L. 

lorica, a coat of mail. 
LO'TION. s. A medicinal wash. L. lotio : from lotum, sup. of lavo, to 

wash. 
LOUIS-D'OR. s. A golden coin of France. F. Louis, (the king's 

name,) de, of, or, gold. 
LOYAL, adj. Obedient to a prince, or to the national laws ; faithful. 

F. loyal : from loi, a law. 
LUBRICITY, s. Slipperiness, or smoothness ; instability. F. lubricite : 

L. lubricus, gliding : labor, to slide. 
LU BR I FACTION, s. The act of making slippery or smooth. L. 

lubricus, gliding, and facio, to make. 
LU'CENT. adj. Shining; splendid. L. lucens, part, of luceo, to 

shine. 
LU'CID. adj. Shining; perspicuous. L. lucidus : from lucis, gen. of 

lux, light. 
LUCIF'EROUS. adj. Giving light. L. lucis, gen. of lux, light, and 

fero, to bring. 
LU'CIFORM. adj. Having the form of light. L. lucis, gen. of lux, 

light, and forma, form. 
LUCRATIVE, adj. Profitable. L. lucrativus : from lucrum, gain. 
LU'CRE. s. Gain ; money. This is a vulgar word, and always used 

in a degrading sense. F. lucre : L. lucrum, gain. 
LUCUBRATION, s. Nocturnal study. L. lucubratio : from lucis, 

gen. of lux, light ; — meaning candlelight. 
LUC'ULENT. adj. Lucid ; clear. L. luculentus : luceo, to shine. 
LU'DICROUS. adj. Exciting laughter. L. ludicer : from ludus, 

sport. 
LUGUBRIOUS, adj. Mournful. L. lugubris : lugeo, to mourn. 
LUMBA'GO. s. Pain in the loins and small part of the back. L. 

lumbi, the loins, and ago, to move. 
LUMINARY, s. That which emits light. L. luminare : from lumen, 

light. 
LU'NACY. s. A species of intermitting mental derangement, erro- 
neously supposed to be influenced by the moon ; madness in general. 

L. luna, the moon. 
LU'NAR. adj. Relating or belonging to the moon. L. lunaris : from 

luna, the moon. 
LUNA' RI AN. s. An inhabitant of the moon. L. luna, the moon. 
LUNATIC, s. One afflicted with lunacy. See LUNACY. 
LUNA'TION. s. A revolution of the moon. L. luna, the moon. 
LU'PERCAL. s. A feast observed at Rome, at the place where Romu- 
lus and Remus were said to have been suckled by a wolf. L. luper- 

cal : from lupa, a female wolf. 
LUSTRA'TION. s. Religious purification by water, or other sacrifice. 

L. lustratio. See LUSTRUM. 
LUS'TRE. s. Brightness, or glitter ; renown ; a chandalier. F. lustre; 

L. lustro, to purify. 
LUS'TRUM. s. The religious purgation or cleansing of Rome, every 

fifth year ; hence, lustrum is used to denote a period of four years. L, 

153 



LUS— MAI 

LU'SUS NATURAE. An irregular production of nature; as an ani- 
mal born with five legs, instead of four. L. lusus, a play or freak, 
natures, (from natura,) of nature. 

LUTA'RIOUS. adj. Living in mud. L. lutarius : from lut urn, mud. 

LU'TING. s. Clay, or a composition, with which the joints and aper- 
tures of chemical utensils are closed. F. lut : L. luium, clay. 

LU'TULENT. adj. Muddy ; turbid. L. lutulentus : lutum, mud. 

LUXURIANT, adj. Exuberant. L. luxurians : from luxo, to loosen ; 
that is, to grow beyond the proper limit. 

LYMPH, s. A transparent, colourless fluid. L. lympha, a poetical 
term for water. 

LYMTHEDUCT. s. In anatomy, a vessel which conveys the lymph. 
L. lympha, lymph, and ductus, a guidance : duco, to lead. 

LYRE. s. A harp. F. lyre : L. lyra : G. lura. 

LYRTC. adj. Relating to poems intended for the harp; sentimental 
pieces of music. L. lyricus. See LYRE. 

M. 

MACERATE, v. To make lean; to wear away. L. macero; from 

macer, lean. 

MACHINA'TION. s. Artifice; malicious design. L. machinatio; 
from machina, an engine. See MACHINE. 

MACHINE, s. An engine of complicated workmanship. F. machine: 
L. machina : G. machane, a project or endeavour ; quickness or ad- 
vantage. 

MACULA, s. A spot. L. (pi. macules.) 

MAD'RIGAL. s. A pastoral song; any light, airy, short song. F. 
madrigal : L. mandra, a hovel for cattle. 

MAGAZINE, s. A store-house, generally for munitions of war ; a 
miscellaneous pamphlet, (imagined as a literary store-house.) F. 
magazin: G. magos, wise. 

MA'GIC. s. Pretended sorcery or enchantment. L. magia : G. magos, 
wise. 

MAGISTE'RIAL. adj. Relating to or resembling a magistrate. See 
MAGISTRATE. 

MAGISTRATE, s. A man invested with legal authority. L. magis- 
trates : magister, a master : from major, greater. 

MAGNA CHAR'TA. s. The charter of English liberties, obtained 
from king John, by the barons, in 1215. L. magna, (fern, of mag- 
nus,) great, and charta, (pronounced carta,) paper. 

MAGNANIMTTY. s. Greatness of mind ; bravery. L. magnanimi- 
las: comp. of magnus, great, and animus, the mind or soul. 

MAGNIFICENT, adj. Grand ; splendid. L. magnijicus ; from mag- 
nus, great, and facio, to make. 

MAGNIFY, v. To make great; to increase to the eye ; to exaggerate. 
L. magnijicio ; from magnus, great, and facio, to make. 

MAGNITUDE, s. Bulk; dimension. L. magnitudo ; from magnus, 
great. 

MAIL. s. A coat of steel network, to protect the body ; any armour ; 
a postman's bag, or that which covers and protects the letters ; a 
carriage in which the mail is conveyed. F. maille, the mesh of a net 

154 



MAI— MAN 

MAIN. adj. Principal ; chief; leading. Old F. magne : L. magnus, 

great. 
MAIN. s. A continent, or great tract of land ; an ccean, or great sheet 

ofw.iter. See the adjective. 
MAIN'PRISE. s. Delivery into the custody of a friend, upon security 

given for appearance ; bail. F. main, a hand, and prise, possession; 

prendre, to take. 
MAINTAIN', v. To preserve; to keep; to support. F. maintenir : 

main, a hand, (that is, in the hand,) and tenir, to hold : L. manus, 

and teneo. 
MAJES'TIC. adj. August; grand; splendid. L. majestas, superior- 
ity, majesty : from major, compar. of magnus, great. 
MA'JOR. adj. Greater ; used generally before part. L. major, greater ; 

compar. of magnus, great. 
MAJOR, s. An officer next above a captain. L. major, greater. 
MAJORTTY. s. The greater number; commission or rank of major. 

See MAJOR. 
MAL'ADY. s. Disease. F. maladie : mal, evil: L. malum. 
MA'LA FIDE. With a design to deceive. L. abl. of malus, bad, and 

Jides, faith. 
MAL'ATES. s. Salts formed by a combination of any base with the 

malic acid. See MALIC. 
MAL'CONTENT. s. A discontented or dissatisfied person. . F. mal- 

content: mal, ill, and content, contented. 
MALEDICTION, s. Curse. L. maledictio; from malus, evil, and 

dictio, an expression. 
MALEFACTOR, s. A criminal. L. male, wickedly, and facio, to do. 
MALEVOLENT, s. Ill-disposed ; malignant. L. malevolus ; from 

male, wickedly, and volo, to wish. 
MALTC. adj. Malic acid is obtained from the juice of apples. L. 

malum, an apple. 
MALICE, s. Evil design. F. malice : L. malitia ; from malum, wick- 
edness. 
MALTCE PREPENSE'. Evil intention, previously cherished. See 

MALICE and PREPENSE. 
MALIFTCENT. adj. Malign; injurious; causing evil. L. malum, 

evil, and facio, to make. 
MALIGN, adj. Evil- disposed ; malicious ; pestilential. F. maligne : 

L. malignus : malus, evil. 
MALIGNANT, adj. Intending or effecting ill; malicious; hostile to 

life. F. malignant : L. malignus ; from malum, evil. 
MALLEABLE, adj. Capable of being spread by hammering. F. 

malleable: L. malleus, a hammer. 
MAL'LET. s. A wooden hammer, with two heads. F. maillet : L. 

malleus, a hammer. 
MALUM IN SE. Evil in itself, as murder. Some actions are evil 

only when prohibited by law, as the killing of game, if unprivileged, 

which is malum prohibitum. L. malum, (neuter of malus,) evil, in, 

in, sp, itself. 
MALVERSATION, s. Fraudulent conduct. F. malversation: L. 

malum, evil, and verso, (freq. of verto,) to turn often. 
MAN'ACLES. s. Handcuffs. F. manicles : L. manic<s : manus, a hand. 

155 



MAN— MAR 

MAN' AGE. v. To conduct ; to make tractable. F. tnenager : main, 

the hand, and agir, to act. L. manus, and ago. 
MANDA'MUS. s. A writ, requiring the person to whom it is directed, 

to do some particular thing, therein specified. L. mandamus, (from 

mando,) we command. 
MAN'DATE. s. A command ; a commission. L. mandatum ; from 

mando, to command, or give in charge : manus, a hand, and do, to 

give. 
MANE'GE. s. A place for training horses; a riding-school. F. ma- 
nege. See MANAGE. 
MAN'ES. s. The immortal part, or spirit. L. manes : which appears 

to be derived from maneo, to remain. 
MANEUV'RE. s. Finesse ; artful and subtle expedient ; military move- 
ment. F. manoeuvre : comp. of main, the hand, and oeuvre, work. 
MANGE, s. A scorbutic disease amongst brutes. F. manger, to eat ; 

meaning to penetrate the skin. 
MANGER, s. The trough or vessel in which cattle are fed. F. man- 

geoire : manger, to eat. 
MAN'IA. s. Raving or furious madness ; generally prevailing adoption 

of something new. G. mania, rage. 
MA'NIAC. s. One highly deranged in mind. See MANIA. 
MANOEUVRE. See MANEUV'RE. 
MAN'OR. s. Land granted by a sovereign to a person of great merit, 

as an estate or permanent place of residence. Old F. manoir : L. 

maneo, to remain. 
MAN'SION. s. The house erected on a manor ; a house adapted for 

a permanent residence ; place of abode. L. mansio, a continuance : 

mansum, sup. of maneo. See MANOR. 
MANTELET', s. A kind of pent-house, used by a besieging army, to 

cover the miners and pioneers from the enemy's shot. F. mantelet : 

Old F. mantel, a cloak. 
MANUAL, adj. Performed by the hand. L. manualis : from manus, 

a hand. 
MAN'UAL. s. A small book, such as may be easily carried in the 

hand. See the adjective. 
MANUFACTURE, v. To form by art and labour. F. manufacturer: 

L. manu, (abl. of manus,) by the hand, and facio, to make. 
MANUMIT', u. To release from slavery. L. manumitto : comp. of 

manu, abl. of manus,) from the hand, and mitto, to send away. The 

ceremony of manumission was thus performed by the Romans : — 

The slave was brought before the consul, and, in after times, before 

the prsstor, by his master ; who, laying his hand upon his servant's 

head, said, to the praetor, " hunc hominem, liberum esse volo ;" and 

then let him go out of his hand ; which was termed e manu emitlere. 

Kennett's Rom. Ant. 1 14. 
MAN'USCRIPT. s. Something written by the hand, — not printed. 

L. manuscriptum : manu, (abl. of manus,) by the hand, and scriptus, 

p. part, of scribo, to write. 
MARCH, s. The third month. L. Martius ; from Mars, the god of 

war; to whom, it was dedicated by the Romans. 
MARGIN, s. The brink, or border. L. margo, the brink. 
MARI'NE. adj. Belonging to the sea. L. marinus; from mare, the sea. 

156 



MAR— MAT 

MARINER, s. A seaman. See MARINE. 

MAR'ITAL. adj. Relating to a husband. F. marital : L. maritus, a 
husband. 

MARITIME, adj. Relating to the sea. L. maritimus ; from mare, 
the sea. 

MARQUE, s. "Letters of marque and reprisal ;" (words used as syno- 
nymous, and signifying, the latter, a taking in return, the former, 
the passing of the frontiers, in order to such taking:) are granted, 
in order to seize the bodies or goods of offending foreigners, until 
satisfaction be made. F. from marche, a boundary. 

MARQUIS, or MAR'QUESS. s. Now denotes a nobleman, next in 
rank below a duke ; but originally signified a person whose office 
was to guard the frontiers and limits of the kingdom of England. 
F. marche, a boundary, or limit. 

MAR'RY. v. To perform the ceremony of marriage; to take in mar- 
riage. F. marier : L. marito, to wed. 

MAR'TIAL. adj. Warlike ; relating to war. F. martial : L. martialis: 
Mars, the god of war. 

MAR'TYR. s. One who is put to death for holding a particular opi- 
nion. F. martyr : G. martur, a witness ; because, by his death, he 
bears witness to the truth of his belief. 

MARTYROL'OGY. s. A register of martyrs. F. martyr, a martyr, 
and G. logos, a description. 

MARYELLOUS. adj. Wonderful. F. merveilleux : merveille, won- 
der, meriter, to deserve, and veiller, to notice. 

MASCULINE, adj. Relating or belonging to males. L. masculinus ; 
from mas, a male. 

MAS'SACRE. s. Extensive and indiscriminate slaughter ; cruel butch- 
ery of the unarmed or defenceless. F. massacre : L. macto, to kill, 
and sacrum, a sacrifice. 

MAS'SIVE, or MASSY, adj. Bulky ; ponderous. F. massif: L. 
massa, a heap. 

M ASTER, s. One who has a servant ; a ruler ; a director ; one who 
teaches, &c. F. maistre: L. magister ; from major, (compar. of 
magnus„) greater. 

MATE'RIAL. adj. Consisting of matter ; corporeal, not spiritual; im- 
portant; essential; necessary. L. materialis. See MATTER. 

MATERIALIST, s. One who denies the existence of spiritual sub- 
stances. See MATERIAL. 

MATE'RIA MEDTCA. A general name for all substances used in 
medicine; a book which treats of these substances. L. materia, 
matter, and medica, (fern, of medicus,) pertaining to physic. 

MATER'NAL. adj. Motherly ; pertaining to a mother. L. maternus : 
mater, a mother. G. mater, a mother. 

MATHEMATICS, s. That science which contemplates whatever 
can be numbered or measured. G. mithematike ; from mathema, 
instruction ; manthano, to learn. 

MATIN, adj. Relating to the morning. F. matin, morning. 

MATINS, s. Morning worship. F. matines. See MATIN. 

MAT'RICE. s. A mould ; an instrument used by engravers and letter- 
founders, on which is engraved a figure to be stuck into the metal, 
or the letter to be cast. See MATRIX. 

o 157 



MAT— MED 

MATRICIDE, s. Murder of a mother ; one who murders a mother. 

L. matricidium ; comp. of mater, a mother, and ccsdo, to kill. 
MATRICULATE, v. To admit as a member of a university; to enrol. 

L. matrix, a womb, and latum, sup. of fero, to bring. A college is 

thus compared to a mother. 
MATRIMONY, s. Wedlock. L. matrimonium ; from mater, a mother. 
MATRIX, s. The womb; also, an instrument used in the formation 

of letters, &c, by engravers and type-founders. L. matrix : G. ma- 

ter, a mother. 
MA'TRON. s. An elderly lady ; a wife. L. matrona ; from mater, a 

mother. 
MATTER, s. Substance ; purulent discharge ; subject ; consequence ; 

importance. L. materia ; from mater, a mother : G. mater. 
MATURE, adj. Ripe. L. maturus, mellow. 
MATURA'TION. s. The process of ripening, or coming to maturity. 

L. maturus, ripe. 
MAUSOLE'UM. s. A splendid tomb. L. from Mausolus, king of Ca- 

ria ; for whom, a famous funeral monument was erected by his 

queen, and called The Mausoleum. 
MAUVAISE HONTE. Excessive bashfulness. F. mauvaise, evil, 

honte, shame, or confusion. 
MAX'IM. s. An axiom; a general principle; a leading truth. F. 

maxime : L. maximus, greatest. 
MAX'IMUM. s. The highest rate, opposed to minimum. L. maxi- 
mum, (neuter of maximus,) the superl. of magnus, great : pos. mag. 

nus, great; compar. major, greater; superl. maximus, greatest. 
MAY. s. The fifth month. L. Maius ; from Maia, the mother of 

Mercury. 
MAY'OR. s. The chief magistrate of a town. F. maire : L. major, 

greater. 
MEAGER, adj. Lean ; weak ; emaciated. Y.maigre : L. macer : G. 

mikros, small. 
MEANDER, v. To move in a serpentine course. Meander, a river in 

Phrygia, remarkable for its winding. 
MEASURE, s. Standard of measurement; degree, or quantity; 

means ; musical time ; metre. F. mesure : L. mensura : mensus, 

part, of metior, to measure : G. metreo. 
MECHANICS, s. The science of the power and construction of ma- 
chines. G. mechane, art. 
MED'AL. s. A piece of metal, bearing a memorial of some meritorious 

or remarkable performance ; and intended as a present to the 

achiever. F. medaille : from the Saxon, med, signifying reward. 
MEDAL'LION. s. Something resembling a medal. F. medallion. See 

MEDAL. 
ME'DIATE. v. To intercede. L. medius, middle ; — a mediator stands 

between two persons. 
ME'DIATELY. adv. By a secondary cause. See MEDIATE. 
ME'DIATOR. s. An intercessor. See MEDIATE. 
MEDICAL, adj. Relating to the art of healing. L. medicus : G. me- 

deo, to govern. 
MEDIOCRITY, s. Middle rate. L. mediocrilas : from medius, 



m 



iddle. 



158 



MED— MER 

MED'ITATE. v. To contemplate. L. meditor : G. medeo, to govern, 

or take care of. 
ME'DIUM. s. Anything intervening; a middle degree ; means. L. 

medium, the middle. 
MEL'ANCHOLY. s. A disease, arising from a heavy state of the 

blood ; a gloomy, pensive temper. G. melanos, gen. of melas, black, 

and chole, bile. 
ME'LIORATE. v. To improve ; to ameliorate. L. melior, better. 
MELLIF'EROUS. adj. Producing honey. L. mellifer : mel, honey, 

and fero, to bring. 
MELLIFLUOUS, adj. Sweetly flowing. L. mel, honey, and fluo, to 

flow. 
MEL'LOW. adj. Pleasingly ripe ; soft. L. mel, honey. 
MEL'ODY. s. Sweetness of musical sound. G. melodia : from meli, 

honey, and ode, a song. Musical harmony relates to the agreement 

of sounds. 
MEM'BRANE. s. A delicate web used in the human structure. L. 

membrana, a film. 
MEMEN'TO. v. Remember ; s. a memorial. L. memento, remember ; 

imper. of the defective v. memini. 
MEM'OIR. s. A familiarly written history. F. memoire : L. memoro, 

to remember. 
MEMORAN'DUM. s. A note to aid the memory. L. memorandum, to 

be remembered ; part, of memoro, to remember. 
MEMO'RIAL. s. A monument; a remembrancer ; a written address, 

such as reminds of services and solicits a reward ; a remonstrance. 

F. memorial: L. memorialis : memoro, to remember. 
MEM'ORY. s. The faculty of recollecting things past; recollection. 

L. memoria : from memoro, to remember. 
MEN' ACE. v. To threaten. F. menacer : G. menio, to be angry. 
MENAGE', or MENAGERIE, s, A place for wild animals. F. from 

menager, to manage, or take care of. 
MENDACITY, s. Falsehood. L. mendax, lying. 
MEN'DICANT. adj. Begging. L. mendicans, part, of mendico, to 

beg. 
MENDICITY, s. The state of a beggar. See MENDICANT. 
ME'NIAL. adj. Belonging to the retinue or train of common or low 

servants ; befitting a servant. According to Blackstone, menial ser- 
vants are so called, because being intra m&nia ; within the walls, or 

domestics. 
MEN'SAL. adj. Relating to the table. L. mensalis : mensa, a table. 
MENSTRUAL, adj. Monthly; relating to a menstruum. F. men- 
strual : L. mensis, a month. 
MENSURATION, s. The science or act of measuring. L. mensura, 

a measure. See MEASURE. 
MEN'TAL. adj. Intellectual. F. mentale : L. mentis, gen. of mens, 

the mind. 
MEN'TION. s. A hint ; a suggestion ; a brief notice or remark. L. 

mentis, gen. of mens, the mind. 
MEPHIT'IC. adj. Ill-smelling ; noxious. L. mephitis, a bad smell. 
MER'CANTILE. adj. Commercial. L. mercans, part, of mercor, to 

buy. 

159 



MER-MET 

MERCENARY, adj. Venal; hired; too studious of recompense. L. 

mercenaries : from merces, wages. 
MER/CER. s. A dealer in cloths. F. merrier: L. mercor, to buy. 
MER'CHANT. s. One who traffics. F. marchand : L. mercans : mer- 
cor, to purchase. 
MER'CY. s. Tenderness ; goodness ; pity, &,c. F. merci : L. miseri- 

tus, part, of miserccor, to pity. 
MERETRICIOUS, adj. Alluring by false show. L. meretricius : 

from meretrix, a harlot. 
MERCURY, s. Quicksilver. L. Mercurius, called, in English, Mer- 
cury ; the most subtle of all the heathen gods. 
MERGE, v. To unite; to be included. L. mergo, to immerse. 
MERID'IAN. s. The point of noon ; a geographical line,drawn from 

north to south, and passing through all tho?e places which have noon 

at the same time. F. meridien : L. meridies, noon ; probably, from 

medius, middle, and dies, a day. 
MERTT. s. Desert. L. meritum : from mereo, to earn. 
MER'MAID. s. An animal resembling the human form, said to exist 

in the sea. F. mer, the sea, and maid. 
MERSION. s. The act of sinking or plunging below the surface. L. 

mersio : from mersum, sup. of mergo, to plunge. 
MESSAGE, s. An errand ; any thing committed to another, to be 

told to a third. F. message : L. missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MES'SIEURS. s. Sirs; gentlemen. F. plural of monsieur, sir. 
MESSUAGE, s. (Pronounced mess-wage.) In law, the house and 

ground set apart for domestic uses; also a garden, shop, mill, &c. 

Law L. messuagium : supposed to be derived from mansio. See 

MANSION. 
MET'ALLURGY. s. The art of working or preparing metals. L. 

metallum, metal, and G. ergon, work. 
METAMORPHOSE, v. To change the form. G.metamorphoo: comp. 

of meta, against, and morphe, form. 
MET'APHOR. s. A similitude; a simile, usually comprised in one 

word. G. metaphora : meta, signifying from one place, or thing, to 

another, and phoreo, to carry. 
MET'APHRASE. s. A strict, verbal translation. G. metaphrasis : 

meta, signifying from one place, or thing, to another, and phrasis, a 

phrase. 
METAPHYSICS, s. That part of philosophy which considers the 

nature and properties of thinking beings, &c. G. metaphusike ; from 

meta, through, and phusis, nature, 
MET'APLASM. s. In grammar, a transmutation or change made in 

a word, by transposing or retrenching a syllable or letter. G. mcta- 

plas?nos : meta, over, and plasso, to form. 
METAS'TASIS. s. Translation or removal. G. metastasis : from 

meta, across or opposite to, and stasis, a situation. 
METE. v. To measure. L. metior : G. metreo, to measure. 
METEMPSYCHOSIS, s. Transmigration of the soul from one body 

to another. G. metempsuchosis : from meta, from one place to an- 
other, and psuche, the soul. 
ME'TEOR. s. A transitory body passing through the air. G. meteora : 

from meta, from one place to another, and aeiro, to raise. 

160 



MET— MIL 

METEOROLOGICAL, adj. Relating to the doctrine of meteors ; and 
to the changes of weather. Meteor, and G. logos, a description. 

METH'OD. s. The placing of several things, or performing several 
operations, in the most convenient manner; mode, or manner. G. 
methodos : meta, with, and odos, a way. 

METONYMY, s. A rhetorical figure, founded on the several relations 
of cause and effect, container and contained, sign and thing signi- 
fied : as, when we say, "he is reading Locke," the cause is put for 
the effect : meaning, " the works of Locke. 1 " G. metonumia : meta, 
against, and onoma, a name. 

ME'TRE, s. Language confined to a. certain number, and harmonic 
disposition, of syllables; verse. G. metron, a measure. 

METROL'OGY. s. A discourse on measures or mensuration. G. 
metron, measure, and logos, discourse. 

METROP'OLIS. $. A chief city. L. metropolis : G. meter, a mother, 
and polls, a city. 

METROPOLITAN, s. An archbishop. G. from metropolis : sup- 
posing that the chief city was the principal see. 

MEUM AND TUUM. Mine and yours: — a technical expression, 
used to mark the distinction of property, as belonging to one person 
or another. L. 

MIAS'MA. s. Contagious effluvia, arising from distempered or poison- 
ous bodies. G. miasma : from miaino, to infect. 

MICOG'RAPHY. s. The description of objects too small to be discern- 
ed without the aid of a microscope. G. mikros, small, and grapho, to 
write. 

MICROCOSM, s. The little world. Man is so called, from a fanciful 
analogy to the world itself. G. ?nikros, little, and kosmos, the world. 

MICROM'ETER. s. An instrument for measuring small spaces. G. 
mikros, small, and metreo, to measure. 

MICROSCOPE, s. An instrument for viewing small objects. G. 
mikros, small, and skopeo, to view. 

MI'GRATE. v. To remove to another country. L. migro, to shift the 
habitation. 

MIL^ s. The Roman mile was called mille passus, a thousand paces 
or sxeps, each about five feet ; hence, the English mile, though it 
contains 1760 yards. 

MILTARY. adj. In medical language, means small, resembling a 
millet-seed : a miliary fever produces small eruptions. F. miliaire : 
L. milium, a millet-seed. 

MILITANT, adj. Fighting; engaged in spiritual warfare. L. mill- 
tans, part, of milito, to go a fighting: from ?niles, a soldier. 

MILTTARY. adj. Belonging to the profession of a soldier; relating 
to war. L. militaris : from miles, a soldier. 

MILI'TIA. s. Citizens and peasantry trained for national defence. L. 
militia, soldiery; from miles, a soldier. 

MILL. s. In the federal, arithmetic of the United States of America, 
a mill is the thousandth part of a dollar. F. mille: L. mille, a thou- 
sand. 

MTLLEN'NIUM. s. A thousand years; a certain period of time, an- 
ticipated by some Christians. L. mille, a thousand, and annus, a 
year. 

o* - 161 



MIL— MIS 

MILLESIMAL, adj. Relating to, or containing a thousand. L. mil- 
lesimus ; from mille, a thousand. 

MIL'LIGRAM. s. In the system of French weights and measures, 
the thousandth part of a grain. L. mille, a thousand, and gramma, 
a grain. 

MILLIM'ETER. s. A French lineal measure, containing the thou- 
sandth part of a meter. L. mille, a thousand, and metrum, a measure. 

MIM'IC. s. A ludicrous, or servile imitator. L. mimicus : G. mimos, 
an imitator. 

MIN'ATORY. adj. Threatening. L. minor, to threaten. 

MINCE, v. To cut or chop into very small pieces. L. minuo, to 
lessen. 

MINERAL'OGY. s. The science of minerals: coinp. of the Eng. mi- 
neral, and G. logos, a description. 

MIN'IATURE. s. A representation in a small compass. F. miniature. 
This word, in accordance with the size of the painting, &c, appears 
to come from the L. minvo, to lessen ; but, in relation to its ortho- 
graphy, and to the mode of execution, the French word may have 
been derived from miniatus, part, of the L. minio, to colour with 
vermilion. 

MINIMUM, s. The lowest rate; opposed to maximum. L. minimum, 
(neuter of minimus,) the superl. of parvus, little ; compar. minor, 
less ; superl. minimus, least. 

MINTON. s. A court-favourite ; a mean dependant. F. mignon, a 
darling. 

MINISTER, s. An agent ; one who acts under another ; a clergyman, 
or high civil officer. L. minister, a servant, or assistant : minor, less. 

MINISTER, v. To attend ; to manage ; to perform ; to supply. L. 
minisiro. See the noun. 

MI'NOR. adj. Petty ; less ; smaller. L. minor, less. 

MI'NOR. s. One under the age when he can lawfully manage his own 
affairs. L. minor, less, or younger. 

MINOTAUR, s. A monster imagined by the poets, half man and 
half bull. L. Minotaurus : from Minos, a king of Crete, and taurus, 
a bull. See Ovid's Metamorphoses. 

MI'NUS. s. Less ; insufficient ; in electricity, opposed to plus. L. 
minus, less. 

MINUTE', adj. Small ; precise. L. minutus, diminished ; from mi- 
nuo, to lessen. 

MINUTE, s. The sixtieth part of an hour. L. minutus. See MI- 
NUTE'. 

MINUTE, v. To record briefly. See MINUTE'. 

MINU'TIiE. s. Minute parts ; trifles. L. pi. of minutia : minutus,^. 
part, of minuo, to make less ; minor, less. 

MIR'ACLE. s. A wonder; something above human power. F. mira- 
cle : L. miracuhim : from miror, to wonder. 

MIR'ROR. s. A looking-glass. F.miroir: L. miror, to admire. 

MIS'ANTHROPE. s One disgusted with mankind. G. misanthropos : 
miseo, to hate, and antkropos, a man. 

MISCELLANEOUS, adj. Various. L. miscellaneus ; from misceo, 
to mix. 

MIS'CIBLE. adj. Possible to be mingled. L. misceo, to mix. 

182 



MIS— MOL 

MIS'CREANT. s. Now signifies a vile wretch : it anciently denoted 

an unbeliever, or one who worshipped false gods : — modern F. mis- 
creant ; old F. mescroyantz. 
MI'SER. s. Originally, signified a wretched or unhappy person, in 

general ; but now, means one who is extremely covetous of money, 

and wretched from the fear of poverty. L. miser, wretched. 
MISERABLE, adj. Wretched. F. miserable. See MISER. 
MISNO'MER. s. In law, signifies a wrong name. F. from mis, de- 
noting error, and worn, a name. 
MISOG'AMIST. s, A marriage-hater. G. miseo, to hate, and garnos, 

marriage. 
MISPRISION, s. In law, signifies neglect, negligence, or oversight. 

Old F. mespriser, to disdain ; or mesprendre, to mistake. 
MIS'SILE. adj. Thrown ; designed to be thrown. L. missilis ; from 

missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MIS'SION. s. Commission ; the office of persons commissioned or 

employed. L. missio ; from missus, p. part, of mitto, to send. 
MITIGATE, v. To assuage ; to soften. L. mitigo; from mitis, meek. 
MI'TRE. s. A bishop's crown. L. mitra, a bonnet, or turban. 
MITTIMUS, s. A magistrate's order for imprisonment. L. mittimus, 

we send ; being the first word in the old Latin writs. 
MIXTILIN'EAR. s. Consisting of a line, or lines, partly straight and 

partly curved. L. mixtus, mixed, and linealis. See LINEAL. 
MNEMON'ICS. s. The science of artificial memory. G. mnemonikes, 

relating- to the memory : mnaomai, to remember. 
MOBILITY, s. Capacity of being moved; activity; in cant language, 

the populace. F. mobilite : L. mobilitas : moveo, to move. 
MOCK. v. To imitate in an ill-natured and vulgar manner ; to laugh 

at ; to tantalize ; to defeat. F. moquer : G. mokao, to laugh at. 
MODE. s. Manner; method; form; fashion. F. mode : L. modus, a 

due proportion, method, manner. 
MODEL, s. A pattern. F. modele : L. modulus, a little measure. 

See MODE. 
MOD'ERATE. adj. Not excessive; temperate; middling. L. mode- 

ratus. See MODE. 
MOD'ERN. adj. According to the present mode ; in conformity with 

the present mode ; recent ; not ancient. F. moderne. See MODE. 
MOD'EST. s. Having a proper deportment; not impudent; chaste. 

F. modeste: L. modestus : modus, a measure, a due proportion. 
MOD'IFY. v. To shape, so as to fit or conform to another thing ; to 

qualify. F. modifier: L. modus, a manner, and facio, to make. See 

MODE. 
MOD' UL ATE. v. To form sound to a certain key, or to certain notes. 

L. modulor ; from modulus, a measure : modus, a rule. 
MO' DUS. s. A due proportion, neither more nor less ; measure ; lim- 
its ; rule. L. 
MO DUS OPERANDI. The , method or manner of operating. L. 

modus, a method, operandi, (gerund, of operor,) of working. 
MOI'ETY. s. Half. F. moitiiijirom moyen, the middle. 
MOLE'CULE. s. The molecules of bodies are those ultimate particles 

which cannot be decomposed by any chemical means. F. moUcule, 

a dimin. formation, from the L. moles, a mass. 

163 



MOL— MON 

MOLEST', v. To disturb, or vex. F. molester : L. molestia, trouble s 

moles, a mass, or heap. 
MOL'LIENT. adj. Softening-. L, molliens, part, of niollio, to soften, 
MOL'LIFY. v. To soften. L. mollis, soft, and Jio, to be- made. 
MO'MENT. s. Force; importance; consequence; indivisible particle 

of time. L. momentum: moveo, to move. 
MOMEN'TOUS. adj. Important ; of consequence. L. momentosus. 

See MOxMENT. 
MON'ACHISM. s. State of a monk. F. See MONK. 
MONAN'DRIA. s. A genus of plants, distinguished by one male sta- 
mina. G. monos, single, and andria, virility. 
MON' ARCH. s. An emperor, or a king. G. monarchos ; from monos, 

alone, and arche, government. 
MONASTERY, s. A habitation for monks. L. monasterium : G. 

monos, alone. 
MONI'TION. s. Advice. L. monitio ; from moneo, to advise. G. 

monos, alone ; that is, in private. 
MON' ITOR. s. One who gives advice; a scholar appointed to watch 

over his fellows. L. monitor ; from moneo, to advise. 
MONK. s. A man secluded in a monastery. Derived, through the 

Saxon, from the G. monachos, solitary ; monos, alone. 
MON'OCHORD. s. A musical instrument, of one string. G. monos, 

alone, and chorde, a chord. 
MONODY, s. A poem in which only one person is introduced as 

speaking. G. monos, alone, and ode, a song. 
MONOG'AMY. s. Marriage of one wife ; opposed to polygamy. G. 

monos, one, and gameo, to marry. 
MONOLOGUE, s. A soliloquy. G. monos, alone, and logos, a word, 

or speech. 
MONOM'ACHY. s. A duel, a single combat. G. monomachia : monos, 

alone, and mache, combat. 
MONOPET'ALOUS. adj. Having only one petal. G. monos, only, 

and petalon, a flower-leaf. 
MONOP OL1ZE. v. To engross. G. monos, alone, and poleo, to 

sell. 
MONOP'TOTE. s. A noun used only in one oblique case. G. monos, 

one, and ptosis, a case. 
MONOSYL'LABLE. s. A word of one syllable. G. monos, one, and 

syllable. 
MONOSTROPHTC. adj. Having only one strophe; not varied in 

measure. G. monos, only, and strophe, a turning. 
MONOT'ONY. s. Disagreeable repetition of the same sound. G. 

monotonia : monos, one, and tonos, a tone or note. 
MONSTER, s. The primary meaning of this word was, something 

ominous ; something which w 7 as supposed to show or foretel ; as, an 

eclipse of the sun, a comet, or an unusual colour of the moon : but, 

the word Monster now denotes something formed contrary to the 

general rules of nature, or any th|^ extremely large. F. monstre : 

L. monstrum : monstro, to show. 
MON'UMENT. s. Any thing by which the memory of persons or 

things is preserved. L. monumentum ; from moneo, to bring to re- 

membrance. 

164 



MOO— MUL 

MOOD, or MODE. s. Manner; a term of logic and of grammar. See 

MODE. 
MOR'AL. adj. Relating to human conduct; proper; honest. L. mo- 

ralis ; from maris, gen. of mos, a manner. 
MOR'BID. adj. Diseased; sickly. L. morbidus ; from morbus, a 

di?ease. 
MORBIF'IC. adj. Causing disease. F. morbifique : L. morbus, a 

disease, and facio, to make. 
MOR'DANT. s. A substance, such as alum, or iron, which has a 

chemical affinity for another substance ; and with which cloth or 

yarn is prepared before dyeing. F. mordant, sharp, acrid ; from 

mordre, to bite : L. mordeo. 
MOROSE', adj. Peevish; sullen. L. morosus ; from mordeo, to 

bite. 
MOR'SEL. s. A mouthful ; a piece ; a meal. L. morsus ; from the 

p. part, of mordeo, to bite. 
MOR'TAL. adj. Subject to death ; causing death. L. morlalis ; from 

mors, death. 
MORT'GAGE. s. Security on lands, &c, by the terms of which, the 

land pledged for the repayment of money borrowed, is, in law, in 

case of non-payment at the time limited, for ever dead and gone from 

the mortgagor. F. mort, dead, and gage, a pledge. 
MORTIF'EROUS. adj. Causing death. L. mortiferus : mortis, gen. 

of mors, death. 
MORTIFY, v. To destroy the vital principle ; to subdue inordinate 

passions ; to vex. F. mortijier : L. mors, death, and facio, to make, 

or cause. 
MORT'MAIN. s. Such a state of possession as makes it unalienable ; 

whence, it is said to be in a dead hand. F. morte, dead, and main, 

a hand. 
MORTUARY, s. A sort of ecclesiastical heriot ; a burial-place. F. 

mortuaire : L. mortis, gen. of mors, death. 
MO'TIVE. s. That which incites. L. motivus : moto, to move. 
MU'CILAGE. s. A slimy or gummy substance. F. mucilage. See 

MUCUS. 
MUCILAGINOUS, adj. Having the quality of mucilage : from mu- 
cilage, and the L. genus, a sort. 
MUCOUS, adj. Viscous ; slimy. See MUCUS. 
MU'CULENT. adj. Viscous; slimy. See MUCUS. 
MUCUS, s. That which issues from the nose ; a viscous fluid. L. 
MULCT, v. To punish by fine. L. mulcto, to fine. 
MULCTUARY. adj. Imposing a fine. See MULCT. 
MULIEB'RITY. s. Womanhood ; the state of being a woman, corre- 
sponding with virility in man. L. mulier, woman. 
MULTIFARIOUS, adj. Having great diversity ; various. L. multi- 

fcr; comp. of multus, many, and fero, to bear. 
MUL'TIFORM. adj. Having various forms. L. multiformis; from 

multus, many, and forma, a shape. 
MULTILATERAL, adj. Having many sides. L. from multus, many, 

and latus, a side. 
MULTIP'AROUS. adj. Producing many at a birth. L. multiparus ; 

from multus, many, and pario, to bring forth young. 

165 



MUL— MYT 

MUL'TIPEDE. s. An insect with many feet. L. multipeda ; from 
multus, many, and pedes, pi. of pes, a foot. 

MUL'TIPLY. v. To increase; to find the product of arithmetical fac- 
tor?. L. multiplico ; from multus, many, and plico, to fold. 

MUL'TITUDE. s. A great number ; the vulgar. L. muitilvdo : mul- 
tus, many. 

MUL'TUM IN PAR'VO. Much in little space. L. multum, neuter 
of multus, much, in, in, par vo, abl. of parvus, little. 

MUM'MERY. s. Masking, sport, farcical show. F. momerie : from 
Mo?nus, the god of sport and ridicule. 

MUN'DANE. adj. Belonging to the world. L. mundanus ; from 
mundus, the world. 

MUNICIPAL, adj. Belonging or relating to a corporation. L. muni- 
cipalis ; from municipium, a privileged city, — munus, a gift, and 
capio, to hold. 

MUNIFICENCE, s. Splendid liberality. L. munijicentia ; from mu- 
nus, a gift, and facto, to make. 

MUNI'TION. s. Ammunition; materials for war. L. muniiio ; from 
munio, to strengthen. 

MURAL, adj. Pertaining to a wall. L. muralis ; from murus, a wall. 

MU'RIATES. s. Salts formed by the combination of any base with 
muriatic acid. See MURIATIC. 

MURIATTC. adj. Having a chemical basis of salt. L. muria, salt 
water. 

MUSETJM. s. A repository of curiosities. L. museum : G. mouseion, 
a place dedicated to the Muses : from mousa, a Muse. 

MUSIC, s. Instrumental or vocal harmony. L. musica : G. mousike ; 
from mousa, a Muse. 

MU'TABLE. adj. Changeable; inconstant. L. mutabilis ; from muto, 
to change. 

MUTATIS MUTANDIS. After making the necessary changes: 
(inflections of the L. muto, to change.) 

MUTE. adj. Silent. L. mutus : G. muttos ; from muo, to shut. 

MUTILATE, v. To deprive of some essential part. L. mutilo : muto, 
to change, or transform. 

MU'TINY. v. To form a plan of insurrection ; to rise against autho- 
rity. F. mutiner : L. mutus, silent ; because mutinies are organized 
in silence. See MUTE. 

MUT'TON. s. The flesh of a sheep. F. mouton, a sheep. 

MUTUAL, adj. Reciprocal. L. muluus ; from muto, to change. 

MYRTAD. s. Ten thousand ; a vast number. G. murias, ten thousand. 

MYR'MIDON. s. A ruffian ; a mercenary bravo. G. murmedon ; from 
the Myrmidones, a people who followed Achilles to the Trojan war. 

MYS'TERY. s. Something shut or hidden from the knowledge of the 
people, and known only by the ancient priests ; something beyond 
human comprehension. L. mysterium : G. musterion : muo, to shut. 

MYS'TIC, or MYSTICAL, adj. Sacredly obscure, as distinguished 
from mysterious, which applies to common obscurities ; secret ; em- 
blematical. L. mysiicus. See MYSTERY. 

MYTHOL'OGY. s. System of fables; explication of the fabulous his- 
tory of heathen gods. F. mylhologie : G. muthos, a fable, (from muo, 
to shut,) and logos, a description. 

166 



NAR— NEM 



N, 



NARCOT'IC. adj. Promoting sleep. G. narko-o, to stupify. 

NARRA'TE. v. To relate. L. narro, to tell. 

NASAL, adj. Relating to the nose. L. nasus, the nose. 

NAS CENT. adj. Rising into existence. L. nascens, part, of nascor, 

to be born. 
NA'TAL. adj. Native; relating to nativity. L. natalis; from naius, 

part, of nascor, to be born. 
NA'TION. s. A people, distinguished from another people, by place 

of birth, &c. F. nation : L. natio. See NATAL. 
NATIVE, adj. Produced by nature ; natural ; relating to the place 

of birth, or production : s. one born in a particular country. L. na- 

tivus. See NATAL. 
NATURE, s. The native state or properties of any thing; an imagi- 
nary being, supposed to preside over the material and animal world. 

L. natura ; from natus, part, of nascor, to be born. 
NAUS'EOUS. adj. Loathsome. L. nauseosus : G. nausia, sea-sick- 

ness ; from naus, a ship. 
NAUTICAL, adj. Relating to sailors ; naval. G. nautikos ; from 

naus, a ship. 
NAVAL, adj. Relating to ships ; pertaining to a navy. L. navalis. 

See NAVY. 
NAVIGATE, v. To pass by water ; to steer. L. navigo ; from navis, 

a ship, and ago, to move. 
NAV'Y. s. A national fleet. L. navis, a ship. G. naus ; from nao, to 

glide. 
NEBULOUS, adj. Cloudy ; misty. L. nebulosus : G. nephos, a cloud. 
NE'CESSARY. adj. Needlul; essential. L. necessarius ; from ne, not, 

and cessum, sup. of cedo, to depart, or resign. 
NECROMANCER, s. One who pretends to converse with the dead ; 

a conjurer. G. nekros, dead, and mantis, a prophet. 
NECTAR, s. A delightful drink. G. nektar, the fabled beverage of 

the gods. 
NEFA'RIOUS. adj. Highly criminal; abominable. L. nefarius ; from 

nefas, a wicked action : which is from ne, not, and /as, right. 
NEGATIVE, adj. Not affirmative ; not positive. L. negativus ; from 

nego, to deny : ne, not, and ago, to do. 
NEGLECT', v. To omit by heedlessness ; to slight. L. neglectum, 

sup. of negligo : nee, not, and lego, to choose. 
NEGLIGE' E. s. A sort of gown, worn as an undress. F. neglige, 

part, of negliger, to neglect. 
NEGLIGENCE, s. Habit of neglect; carelessness. F. negligence. 

See NEGLECT. 
NEGOTIATE, v. To traffic ; to treat. L. negoiium, time of business ; 

comp. of nee, not, and otium, leisure. 
NE'GRO. s. A black man. Spanish, negro: Li. niger, black. 
NEM. CON. An abbreviation of nemine contradieente ; " no person 

opposing or disagreeing." L. nemo, no one, and oontradico, to speak 

against. 
NEM. DISS. An abbreviation of nemine dissentiente, and expressing 

167 



NEO— NOL 

the same meaning as nem. con. L. nemo, no one, and dissentio, to 

disagree in opinion. 
NEOL'OGISM. s. A new mode of expression. G. neos, new, and logos, 

a word. 
NE'OPHYTE. s. One regenerated ; a convert ; a novice. G. neos, 

new, and phuton, a plant. 
NEPHRIT'IC. adj. Belonging to the organs of urine; troubled with 

the stone; remedial against the stone. G. nephritikos ; from nephros, 

a rein or kidney. 
NEPHROTOMY:, s. The operation of opening the kidneys; the ope- 

ration of cutting for the stone. G. nephros, a kidney, and temno, to 

cut. 
NE PLUS ULTRA. Utmost degree. L. we, not, plus, more, vltra, 

beyond. 
NEPOTISM, s. Fondness for nephews. F. nepotisme : L. nepos, a 

nephew. 
NES'CIENCE. s. Ignorance. L. nesciens, part, of nescio, to be igno- 
rant: ne, not, and scio, to know. 
NEUROL OGY. s. Description of the nerves. G. neuron, a nerve, and 

logos, a description. 
NEUROT'OMY. s. The anatomy of the nerves. G. neuron, a nerve, 

and temno, to cut. 
NEU'TER. adj. Neutral; indifferent; neither masculine nor feminine. 
„ L. neuter, neither. 
NEU'TRAL. adj. Indifferent ; not concerned in a war between other 

states ; chemically inactive. L. neutralis. See NEUTER. 
NID'IFICATION. s. The act of building nests. L. nidus, a nest, and 

facio, to make. 
NID ULATION. s. The time of remaining in the nest. L. nidulatus, 

p. part, of nidulor, to sit on a brood : nidus, a nest. 
NIGRESCENT, adj. Growing black. L. nigrescens ; part, of nigresco : 

niger, black. 
NI'SI-PRI'US. In England, a judicial writ, by which a sheriff is to 

assemble a jury at Westminster Hall, on a certain day ; unless, be- 

fore that day, the king's judges go into the sheriff's county, to deter- 
mine causes. This intention may now be considered as a mere 

fiction. L. nisi, unless, prius, before. 
NI'TROGEN. s. The principle of nitre ; the chief ingredient of atmo- 
spheric air. L. nitrum, nitre, and G. gennao, to generate. 
NIVEOUS, adj. Snowy; resembling snow. L. niveus : nivis, gen. 

of nix, snow. 
NO'BLE. adj. Of an ancient and illustrious family; great; worthy; 

exalted. F. noble : L. nobilis ; from notus, (part, of nosco,) known. 
NOCTAM'BULIST. s. One who walks in his sleep. L. noctis, gen. 

of nox, night, and ambulo, to walk about. 
NOC'TUARY. s. An account of what passes in the night. L. noctis, 

gen. of nox, night. 
NOCTURNAL, adj. In the night. L. nocturnus ; from nox, night. 
NO' LENS VO'LENS. Willing or unwilling. L. nolens, (part, of 

nolo,) unwilling; and volens, (part, of volo,) willing: the conjunction, 

signifying or, is understood, and the order of the Latin is inverted in 

the English translation. 

168 



NOL— NOT 

NOLLE PROSEQUI. To be unwilling to proceed ; a form used in 
law, when the plaintiff declines proceeding- further; or when the 
Attorney- General wishes to withdraw a prosecution. L. nolle, to be 
unwilling, prosequi, to proceed, or prosecute : from nolo, and prosc- 
quor. 

NOMENCLATURE, s. Mode of giving names; a vocabulary. L. 
nomenclatura : nomen, a name. 

NOMINAL, adj. Referring to names, rather than things ; titular ; not 
real. L. nominalis ; from nomen, a name. 

NOMTNATE. v. To appoint by name. L. nomino, from nomen, a 
name. 

NOMTNATIVE. s. First case in grammar. L. nominativus ; from 
nomen, a name ; because it primarily displays the original word, or 
name of any thing. 

NONAGE, s. Minority of years. L. non, not, and age. 

NON'AGON. s, A figure having nine sides and nine angles. L. nonus, 
nine, and G. gonia, an angle. 

NON ASSUMPSIT. He did not assume, or undertake ; a plea, in 
law, opposed to assumpsit. L. 

NONCHALANCE', s. Carelessness ; supineness ; indifference. F. 

NON COMPOS MENTIS. Not of sound mind ; a phrase opposed 
to compos mentis. L. 

NONCONDUCTOR, s. In philosophy, that which does not conduct 
the electric fluid, heat, sound, &c. L. non, not, and conductor. 

NONCONFORMIST, s. A dissenter. L. non, not, and conform. 

NONEN'TITY. s. A creature of the imagination. L. non, not, and 
ens, a being. 

NONES, s. Certain days of the Roman Kalendar,— the 7th day of 
March, May, July, and October, and the 5th of the remaining 
months. L. nonce : novem, nine. The nones were so called, because 
they reckoned nine days from the ides : the ides were generally 
about the middle of the month. 

NON ESI 1 INVENTUS. In law, signifies, " he has not been found :" 
the phrase is familiarly used to denote a sudden disappearance, or 
concealment. L. est, he is, non, not, inventus, found: {non, sum, and 
invenior.) 

NONEXISTENCE, s. Negation of existence ; a thing not existing. 
L. non, not, and existence. 

NONFEA'SANCE. s. The omission to do a lawful act. L. non, not, 
and Y.faisant, p. part, of fair e, to do. 

NONJUROR, s. One who refuses to swear allegiance. L. non, not, 
and juro, to swear. 

NONPAREIL', s. That which cannot be matched; excellence un- 
equalled. F. non, not, and pareil, a match : L. non, and par. 

NON'PLUS. s. Inability to proceed; a low word. L. non, not, and 
plus, more. 

NON'SUIT. v. To deprive of the benefit of a legal process, in conse- 
quence of some failure in the management. L. non, not, and suit. 

NOSOL'OGY. s. Doctrine of diseases. G. nosos, a disease, and logos, 
a discourse. 

NOT A BENE, or N. B. "Observe this particularly." N. B. is often 
p 169 



NOT— NUM 

used instead of P. S. or postscript ; but a careful writer will avoid 
this impropriety. L. nota, (imper. of noto,) mark, bene, well. 

NOT' ABLE. adj. Remarkable. — (vulgarly, careful.) L. nolabilis ; 
from noto, to mark. 

NO'TARY. s. An official recorder. L. notarius ; from noto, to mark. 

NOTATION, s. The art of recording or describing by scientific 
marks, as in arithmetic and music. L. notaiio ; from noto, to 
mark. 

NOTE. v. To observe ; to record. L. noto, to mark. 

NO'TIFY. v. To make known. L. notijico ; comp. of notus, known, 
(p. part, of nosco,) and facio, to make. 

NO'TION. s. Idea; conception of the mind ; sentiment; opinion. F. 
notion ; from the L. notus, part, of nosco, to know. 

NOTO'RIOUS. adj. Extensively known. (Used mostly in relation to 
a bad action.) L. notorius ; from noto, to mark. 

NOURTSH. v. To support by food ; to promote growth or strength ; 
to encourage; to foment. F. nourrir : L. nutrio, to nurse. 

NOVEL, adj. New and uncommon. L. novellus, dim. of novus, new. 

NOVEM'BER. s. The eleventh month, formerly the ninth, when the 
year began in March. L. novembris ; novem, nine. 

NOVICE, s. An inexperienced person ; one who has entered a con- 
vent, but has not yet taken the vow. F. novice : L. novus, new. 

NOVI'TIATE. s. The state of a novice ; the time in which the rudi- 
ments are learned ; the time spent in a religious house, by way of 
trial, before the vow is made. F. noviciat : L. novitius, newly made. 
See NOVICE. 

NO' VUS HOMO. A term used to denote a man recently emerged 
from obscurity, or from a state of comparative indigence. L. novus, 
new, and homo, a man. 

NOX'IOUS. adj. Hurtful. L. noxius ; from noceo, to hurt. 

NU'BILE. adj. Marriageable. L. nubilis ; nubo, to marry. 

NUCIFEROUS, adj. Nut-bearing. L. nucis, gen. of nux, a nut, and 
fero, to bear. 

NU'CLEUS. s. A kernel ; something about which matter is collected. 
L. nucleus, a kernel. 

NUDE. s. A female who exposes her person by the lightness or scan- 
tiness of her dress. L. nudus, naked. 

NU'DITY. s. Nakedness. F. nudite : L. nudus, naked. 

NUGATORY, adj. Trifling ; futile ; insignificant. L. nugatorius ; 
from nugor, to trifle. 

NUIS'ANCE. s. Something noxious or offensive ; something that in- 
commodes the neighbourhood. F. nuisance : L. nocens, part, of 
noceo, to hurt. 

NULL. adj. Of no force ; extinct. L. nullus, none. 

NUMERAL, adj. Relating to number. F. numeral: L. numerus, a 
number. 

NUMER'ICAL. adj. Containing number ; relating to the number, but 
not the quality. See NUMERAL. 

NU'MEROUS. adj. Great in number ; many. L. numerosus ; from 

* numerus, a number. 

NUMISMAT'ICS. s. The science of coins and medals. L. numisma- 
tis, gen. of numisma, money. 

170 



NUN— OBL 

NUNCU'PATIVE. adj. Verbally pronounced ; not written. L. nun- 
cupates : from nuncio, to tell. 

NUP'TIAL. adj. Relating to marriage. L. nuptialis ; from nubo, to 
veil, because the Roman ladies were veiled at the time of mar- 
riage. 

NURSE, s. A woman that has the care of a child, or of a sick person ; 
one who rears, educates, or protects. F. nourrice. See NOURISH. 

NURTURE, v. To feed ; to bring to maturity ; to educate. F. nour- 
riture, sustenance. See NURSE. 

NUTATION, s. Act of nodding or inclining. L. nutatio ; nuto, to 
nod. 

NUTRIMENT, s. Food. L. nutrimentum ; from nutrio, to nurse. 

NUTRI'TIOUS. adj. Nourishing. L. nutritius ; from nutrio, to nurse. 

NYMPH, s. A goddess of the woods, meadows, or waters ; in poetry, 
a young female. L. nympha : G. numphe, a bride. This sense does 
not, however, accord either with the heathen, or the present applica- 
tion of the word. 

O. 

OB'DURATE. adj. Hard of heart; stubborn; impenitent. L. obdura- 

tus, part, of obduro ; ob, against, and duro, to harden. 
OBE'DIENT. adj. Submissive to authority ; obsequious. L. obediens. 

See OBEY. 
OBEIS'ANCE. s. An act of submission, or reverence ; a bow, or 

courtesy. F. obeisance. See OBEY. 
OB'ELISK. s. A monument, generally of four sides, and pyramidical ; 

a mark (t) referring to the margin. L. obeliscus : G. obeliskos, dim. 

of obelos, a spit, or species of weapon used in war. 
OBESITY, s. High degree of fatness. L. obesus, fat. 
OBEY', v. To submit to authority ; to comply with. L. obeo, to go to, 

or be ready at : ob, according to, and eo, to go. 
O'BIIT. v. He (or she) died. L. obeo, to go to, or die. See OBEY. 
OBTT'UARY. adj. Relating to the decease of a person, as an obituary 

notice. F. obituaire : obeo, to die. 
OB'JECT. s. Something thrown or placed before the eye ; something 

in view; something acted upon. L. objectus, p. part, of objicio ; from 

ob, before, or against, and jacio, to throw, or place. 
OBJECT', v. To oppose ; (with to or against.) See the noun. 
OBJECTIVE, adj. Relating to the object; s. the third case in the 

majority of English grammars. See OB'JECT. 
OBLATE', adj. Partaking of flatness. L. oblatus, (p. part, of qffero,) 

struck, or forced : ob, against, and fero, to bear. 
OBLA'TION. s. A religious sacrifice. L. oblatus, p. part, of qffero, to 

offer. 
OBLIGA'TION. s. Binding power; contract; duty; favour conferred. 

L. obligatio. See OBLIGE. 
OBLIGE, v. To bind ; to compel ; to do a kind action, and thus bind 

the person favoured, by a lie of gratitude. F. obliger : L. obligo : 

ob, according to, or by reason of, and ligo, to bind. 
OBLIQUE', adj. Not direct ; not parallel ; not perpendicular. L. 06- 

liquus ; from ob, against or, about and lictus, p. part, of linquo, to 

leave, or forsake. 

171 



OBL— OCC 

OBLITERATE, v. To blot out ; to destroy. L. oblitero ; comp. of 

ob, against, and litera, a letter. 
OBLIVION, s. Forgetfulness ; amnesty. L. oblivio ; from oh, against, 

and lavo, to wash. 
OBLOQUY, s. Censure ; slander; reproach. L. obloquor, to reproach; 

comp. of ob, against, and loquor, to speak. 
OBNOXTOUS. adj. Injurious; considered with aversion. L. obnoxius : 

ob, against, and ncceo, to hurt. 
OBSCURE, adj. Dark; abstruse; little known. L. obscurus : G. 

skieros, shady ; skia, a shadow. 
OB'SEQUIES. s. Funeral solemnities. F. obseques ; from the L. ob. 

sequium, attendance on some great person : obsequor, to follow. 
OBSEQUIOUS, adj. Meanly compliant. L. obsequiosus ; from ob % 

according to, and sequor, to follow. 
OBSERVE', v. To watch ; to regard attentively; to note; to keep re- 
ligiously. L. observo : ob, opposite to, and servio, to keep. 
OBSERVAN'DA. s. Things to be observed. See OBSERVE. 
OBSOLESCENT, adj. Growing obsolete. L. obsolescens, part, of ob- 

solesco. See OBSOLETE. 
OBSOLETE, adj. Disused. L. obsoletus ; from obsoleo : ob, against, 

and soleo, to use. 
OB'STACLE. s. Obstruction ; hindrance. F. obstacle : L. ob, against, 

and sio, to stand. 
OBSTETRIC, adj. Relating to midwifery. L. obstetrix, a midwife. 
OB'S TINATE. adj. Stubborn. L. obstinalus, part, of obstino : comp. 

of ob, against, and teneo, to hold. 
OBSTRUCT', v. To place an obstacle in the way ; to impede; to hin- 
der. L. obstruction, sup. of obstruo ; from ob, against, and struo, to 

pile up. 
OBTAIN', v. To gain; to acquire; to procure. L. obtineo: ob, against, 

and teneo, to hold. 
OBTRU'DE. v. To thrust one's-self in the way ; to offer intrusively. 

L. obtrudo ; from ob, against, and trudo, to thrust. 
OBTRU'SION. s. The act of obtruding. L. obtrusus, p. part, of ob- 
trudo. See OBTRUDE. 
OBTU'SE. adj. Blunt; — opposed to acute. L. obtusus, p. part, of ob. 

tundo ; comp. of ob, against, and tundo, to beat; — that is, made blunt 

by being beaten. 
OB'VIATE. v. To avert or remove, by meeting the obstruction in its 

way or passage. L. ob, against, and via, a way. 
OB'VIOUS. adj. Easily perceived. L. obvius, meeting in the way ; 

comp. of ob, against, and via, a way. 
OCCA'SION. s. Occurrence ; incident ; opportunity. L. occasio ; from 

ob, for, or against, and casus, a chance. 
OCCIDENTAL, adj. Western. L. occidentalis : occidens, the west : 

from occido, to fall down ; alluding to the setting of the sun. 
OCCLU'SION. s. Act of shutting up. L. occlusio ; from ob, against, 

and clausum, sup. of cloudo, to shut. 
OCCULT', adj. Hidden ; abstruse. L. occultus, p. part, of occulo, to 

hide. 
OCCUPY, v. To hold. L. occupo ; comp. of ob, before, and capio, to 

take. 

172 



OCC— OLI 

OCCUR', u. To enter into the mind ; to happen. L. occurro ; from ob, 

against, and curro, to run. 
OC'ELLATED. adj. Resembling the eye. L. ocellaius : oculus, an eye. 
OCTAGON, s. A figure containing eight sides and angles. G. okto, 

eight, and gonia, a corner. 
OCTANGULAR, adj. Having eight angles. L. octo, eight, and an- 

gulus, an angle. 
OCTAVE, s. In music, an eighth, or an interval of eight sounds. L. 

octavus, eight. 
OCTA'VO. s. A book, each leaf of which is equal in size to the eighth 

part of a sheet. L. a.bl. of octavus, the eighth. 
OCTENNIAL, a J;'. Happening every eighth year; lasting eight 

years. L. octo, eight, and annus, a year. 
OCTO'BER. s. The tenth month ; formerly the eighth, when the year 

began in March. L. October ; from octo, eight. 
OCTUPLE, adj. Eight fold. L. octuplus ; from octo, eight. 
OCULAR, adj. Relating to a perception by sight. F. oculaire : L. 

oculus, an eye. 
OCULIST, s. An eye-surgeon. L. oculus, an eye. 
ODE. s. A poem intended to be sung. G. ode ; from aeido, to sing. 
O'DIOUS. adj. Hateful; detestable. L. odiosus. See ODIUM. 
O'DIUM. s. Quality of provoking dislike; disgrace. L. odium; from 

odi, I have hated. 
ODOM'ETER. s. An instrument for measuring the length of roads. 

G. odos, a way, and metreo, to measure. 
ODORIFEROUS, adj. Fragrant. L. odorifer ; from odor, scent, and 

fero, to bring. 
OFFEND', v. To displease; to transgress. L. offendo, to strike 

against. 
OFFENSIVE, adj. Offending ; assailing ; opposed to defensive ; dis- 
pleasing; disgusting; painful. F. offensif: L. offensus, p. part, of 

offendo. See OFFEND. 
OF'FER. v. To present; to attempt. L. offero ; comp. of oh, for, or 

against, and fero, to bring. 
OF'FICE. s. A public charge^or employment; agency; business; a 

place for transacting business. F. office : L. officium ; comp. of ob, 

for, and facio, to do. 
OFFI'CIAL. adj. Relating to an office ; published by the proper office, 

and thus made authentic. F. official. See OFFICE. 
OFFICIATE, v. To perform the business of an office. See OFFICE. 
OFFICIOUS, adj. Though this word originally expressed doing good 

offices, which meaning is in exact accordance with its etymology, it 

is now rarely used except to denote intrusively active. F. officieux : 

L. officiosus. See OFFICE. 
OIL. s. The expressed juice of olives ; any thin, greasy matter. L. 

oleum : olea, an olive tree. 
OLEAGTNOUS. adj. Oily. L. oleaginus ; from olea, an olive tree, 

and genus, a kind. See OIL. 
OLFACTORY, adj. Having the sense of smelling. F. olfactoire : 

L. olfacio, to smell to. 
OLTGARCHY. s. Government by a few. G. oligarchia ; from oligos, 

a few, and arche, government. 

v * 173 



OLY-OPP 

OLYM'PIAD. s. A period of four years, or that space of time which 

elapsed between the periodical celebration of the Olympic games. 

The first of these great celebrations, at Olympia, in Peloponnesus, 

occurred 779 years before Christ, and 22 before the foundation of 

Rome. 
O'MEN. s. A prognostic. L. omen : G. oimai, to consider, or suppose. 
OM'INOUS. adj. Prognosticating ; betokening ; generally considered 

inauspiciously, or in an unfavourable sense. L. ominosus. See 

OMEN. 
OMIS'SION. s. The act of omitting ; thing omitted. L. omissus, p. 

part, ofomitto. See OMIT. 
OMIT. v. To leave out; to neglect. L. omitto : 06, signifying aside, 

and mitto, to send. 
OMNIGENOUS, adj. Of every kind. L. omnes, all, or every, and 

genus, a kind. 
OMNIP'OTENT. adj. Almighty. L. ojnniputens ; comp. of omnis, 

all, and potens, (part, of possum,) being able. 
OMNIPRES'ENT. adj. In every place. L. omnis, all, and prcesens, 

being present. 
OMNISCIENT, adj. Knowing every thing. L. omnis, all, and sciens t 

part, of' scio, to know. 
OMNIUM, s. The aggregate of certain portions of different stocks in 

the English funds. L. omnium, of all ; gen. pi. of omnis. 
ONEROUS adj. Burthensome ; oppressive. L. onerosus ; from onus, 

a burthen. 
ON'OMANCY. s. Pretended divination by a name. G. onoma, a name, 

and manteia, a foretelling. 
ONTOL'OGY. s. The doctrine of being or existence. G. on, being, 

and logos, a description. 
ONUS PKOBANDI. The burthen of proving. L. onus, a burthen, 

and probandi, gen. gerund of probo, to prove. 
OPACITY, s. Cloudiness; want of transparency. F. opacite : L. 

opacitas. See OPAQUE. 
OPAQUE', adj. Cloudy ; not transparent. F. opaque : L. opacus ; 

from opaco, to shade. 
OP'ERATE. v. To act; to produce effect. L. operor ; from opus, 

work. 
OP'EROSE. adj. Requiring much labour. L. operosus. See OPE- 

RATE. 
OPHIOL'OGY. s. That part of natural history which treats of ser- 
pents. G. ophis, a serpent, and logos, discourse. 
OPHIOPH'AGOUS. s. Eating or feeding on serpents. G. ophis, a 

serpent, and phago, to eat. 
OPHTHAL'MIA. s. A disorder of the eyes. G. ophthalmos, an eye. 
O'PIATE. s. A medicine that promotes sleep. G. opion, the juice of 

poppies. 
OPIFTCER. s. One that performs any work ; an artist. L. opifex : 

opus, work, and facio, to do. 
OPINION, s. Conjecture ; sentiments ; judgment. L. opinio ; from 

opinor, to think. 
OPPO'NENT. s. One who opposes. L. opponens, (part, of oppono,) 

opposing. See OPPOSE. 

174 



OPP— ORG 

OPPORTUNITY, s. Convenient point of time ; convenience. L. 

opportunitas ; from ob, in the way of, and porto, to carry. 
OPPOSE', v. To stand in front ; to act against ; to obstruct; to hinder. 

L. opposilum, sup. ofoppono; from ob, against, and pono, to place. 
OP'POSITE. adj. Standing in front ; contrary. See OPPOSE. 
OPPRESS', v. To crush; to tyrannise over. L. oppressum, sup. of 

opprimo : ob, against, and premo, to press. 
OPPROBRIOUS, adj. Reproachful; scurrilous. L. opprobrium, dis- 
grace : ob, against, and probrum, deformity. 
OPPUGN', v. To oppose; to resist. L. oppugno : ob, against, and 

pug no, to fight. 
OPTICIAN, s. One skilled in optics ; a maker of optical instruments. 

See OPTICS. 
OP'TICS. s. The science of the laws of vision. G. ops, an eye. 
OP'TUVySM. s. The doctrine that every thing is ordered for the best. 

F. optimisme ; from the L. optimus, best. 
OP'TION. s. Power of choosing ; choice. L. optio ; from opto, to 

choose. 
OP'ULENT. adj. Wealthy. L. opulens : opes, riches ; from opis, 

power. 
OR'ACLE. s. One who conveys information by supernatural wisdom ; 

or by pretended supernatural wisdom, as the oracle at Delphos ; the 

place where the information is delivered ; a person famed for wisdom. 

L. oraculum : oro, to speak. 
O'RAL. adj. Delivered by the mouth ; not written. F. oral : L. oris, 

gen. of os, the mouth. 
ORATOR, s. A petitioner; a public speaker; a man of eloquence. 

L. orator ; from oro, to entreat. 
ORATO'RIO. s. A performance of sacred music. Italian, from the 

L. oro, to entreat. 
ORB. s. A sphere ; circular body ; circle ; line described by a planet. 

L. orbis, a round thing of any kind. 
ORBICULAR, adj. Spherical ; circular. See ORB. 
OR'BIT. s. The line described by the revolution of a planet. L. orbita. 

See ORB. 
OR'CHESTRA, or OR'CHESTRE. s. The place where the musi- 
cians sit in a theatre, or ball-room. G. orchestra ; from orcheomai, 

to dance, — alluding to the dancing choristers of a Greek theatre. 
ORDAIN', v. To appoint; to decree; to invest with the sacerdotal 

office. L. ordino ; from ordo, a rule or law. 
OR'DINAL. adj. Relating to numerical position; as, first, second, 

third. L. ordinalis ; from ordo, order or rank. 
OR'DINANCE. s. A law; appointment. F.ordonnance. See ORDAIN. 
OR'DINARY. adj. Established; common; of low rank. L. ordina~ 

rivs. See ORDAIN. 
ORDINA'TION. s. Established order or tendency ; investment of the 

sacerdotal office. L. ordinatio. See ORDAIN. 
OR'GAN. s. Natural instrument; as the ear, which is the organ of 

hearing, — the eye, of sight; a sort of musical instrument. F. or- 

gane : G. organon, an instrument : orge, force ; or ergon, work. 
ORGANIZE, v. To arrange, so that all the parts may co-operate. 

See ORGAN. 

175 



0RG-0X1 

QR'GIES. s. Frantic revels. G. orgia ; from orge, vehement ardour. 
ORIEN'TAL. adj. Eastern. F. oriental : L. oriens, the east; from 

orior, to arise. 
OR'IFICE. s. An opening, or perforation. L. orificium ; from oris, 

gen. ox os, a mouth, or gap, and facio, to make. 
OR'IGIN. s. Beginning; source. L. origo : from orior, to arise. 
ORIG'INAL. adj. Primitive; not copied from another. L. originalis. 

See ORIGIN. 
OR'ISONS. s. Prayers. F. oraisons : L. oro, to entreat. 
OR'NAMENT. s. Embellishment. L. ornamentum ; orno, to adorn. 
ORNITHOL'OGY. s. A description of birds. G. ornithos, gen. of 

ornis, a bird, and logos^ a word or description. 
OR'PHAN. s. A child who has lost both of its parents, or one of its 

parents. G. orplianos, destitute. 
OR'THODOXY. s. Supposed infillibility of opinion and doctrine. G. 

orthodoxia ; orthos, right, and dokeo, to perceive. 
ORTHOEPY, s. The science of right pronunciation. G. orthos, right, 

and epos, a word. 
ORTH'OGON. s. A rectangular figure. G. orthos, right, and gonia, 

an angle. 
ORTHOGRAPHY, s. Knowledge of spelling. G. orthos, right, and 

grapho, to write. 
OSCILLA'TION. s. The act of moving backward and forward like a 

pendulum. L. oscillum, an image, suspended and swung in the air, 

by the heathen worshipers. G. ossio-o, to render holy. 
OS'SEOUS. adj. Bony ; resembling a bone. L. osseus : os, a bone. 
OS'SIFY. v. To change to bone. L. os, a bone, andjio, to become. 
OSTEN'SIVE. adj. Avowed; shown. F. ostensif : L. ostensus, p. 

part, of ostendo ; ob, opposite to, and tendo, to stretch forth. 
OSTENTA'TION. s. Ambitious display ; vain show. L. ostentatio. 

See OSTENSIVE. 
OS'TRACISM. s. Public sentence inscribed, by each voter, upon a 

shell. G. ostrakismos ; from ostrakon, a shell. 
OUTRE', adj. Uncommon; different from the usual mode. F. 
O'VAL. adj. Not quite round, but oblate at the ends or poles. F. ovale ; 

L. ovum, an egg. 
OVA'TION. s. A lesser Roman triumph. L. ovatio ; from ovis, a 

sheep ; because, on this occasion, the victor sacrificed a sheep ; but, 

in the greater triumph, he sacrificed a bull. 
O'VERPLUS. s. Surplus. Compounded of over, and L. plus, more. 
O'VERT. adj. Open ; public. F. ouvert, part, of ouvrir, to open. 
O'VERTURE. s. First proposal; musical prelude. F. ouverture ; from 

ouvrir, to open ; — that is, to begin. 
O'VIFORM. adj. Having the form of an egg. L. ovum, an egg, and 

forma, shape. 
OVIP'AROUS. adj. Bringing forth eggs. L. ovum, an egg, and pario, 

to bring forth. 
OXAL'IC. adj. The acid denominated oxalic, is found in the juice of 

sorrel. L. oxalis, wild sorrel. 
OX'IDE. s. Any substance combining oxygen, in a proportion not 

sufficient to produce acidity. See OXYGEN. 

176 



OXY— PAL 

OX'YGEN. s. The principle of acids, and of combustion, and a ne- 
cessary agent in the support of animal life. G. oxus, an acid, and 
gennao, to generate. 

OXYGON, s. A triangle, having three acute angles. G. oxus, sharp, 
and gonia, an angle. 

OYER AND TERMINER. A judicial commission given "to hear 
'and determine." F. oyer, to hear, and terminer, to end or determine. 

P. 

PAB'ULUM. s. Food ; support. L. from pasco, to feed. 

PACE. s. A step made by projecting or expanding the foot ; progress. 
F. pas. See PASS. 

PACIFY, v. To appease. F. pacifier: L. pacifico ; comp. of pax, 
peace, and facio, to make. 

PACT. s. A contract ; a bargain. L. pactum : pactus, part, of pas- 
ciscor, to bargain. 

PACTION, s. A bargain ; a covenant. L. pactio. See PACT. 

PAINT, v. To form a figure or likeness in colours ; to cover or be- 
smear with colouring matter. F. peindre : L. pingo, to draw out the 
shape and form of an} 7 thing ; to stain. 

PAIR. s. Two things, suiting one to another, as a pair of gloves ; a 
male and female; two of a sort. Y.paire: L. par; from the adjec- 
tive par, even in number, two. 

PAL' ACE. s. A royal house ; a house eminently splendid. The Pala. 
tinus Mons, or Mount Palatine, was the site upon which Romulus 
laid the first foundation of Rome ; where also he kept his court ; as 
did Augustus, and all the succeeding emperors of Rome : from which 
circumstance, the word palatium, or palace, has, ever since, been ap- 
plied to the residence of a monarch, or prince. 

PALE. s. A rail or post; an enclosure; district. L. palus, a post. 

PALTMPSEST. s. A piece of parchment, twice prepared for writing, 
first by rubbing* with pumice-stone, when in a state of manufacture, 
and again by the same process, after the original writing had been 
taken away. G. palimpsestos : palin, again, and psecho, to scrape 
or rub. 

PALTNDROME. s. A word or sentence, which is the same, read 
backward or forward, as " madam.'''' G. palindromia ; palin, again, 
or backwards, and dromos, a running. 

PALTNODE. s. A recantation. G. palinodia ; palin, again, and ode, 
a song. 

PALISADE, s. A defence made of pales. F. palisade : L. palus, a 
post. 

PALLA'DIUM. s. Properly, a statue of Pallas, (Minerva,) which, it 
was said, fell from heaven, and on the preservation of which, it was 
imagined, depended the safety of Troy : it was accordingly stolen 
from the city, by Ulysses and Diomedes. Palladium is generally 
used to denote some great preserver of a country's liberty ; as the 
trial by jury, or freedom of the press. 

PALLEAS'SE. s. A bed made of straw, firmly compressed, and in- 
closed in ticking. F. paillasse ; paille : L. palea, straw. 

PAL'LET. s. A small bed. F. paille, straw. 

177 



PAL— PAR 

PA L'LIATE. v. To cloak ; to cover with excuse. L. paUio ; from 
pallium, a cloak. 

PAL'LI D. adj. Pale. L. pallidus, pale. 

PALMISTRY, s. The pretended art of predicting, by viewing the 
lines of the hand. L. palma, the palm of the hand. 

PAL'PABLE. adj. Perceptible by the touch; easily detected. F. 
palpable ; from palpor, to feel in the dark, or grope. 

PAL'PITATE. v. To beat as the heart. L. palpito, to pant. 

PAL'SY. s. An abbreviation of Paralysis. 

PANACEA, s. A universal medicine. G. panakeia ; pan, all, and 
akos, a cure. 

PANA'DO. s. Food made of bread and water. L. panis, bread. 

PAN DECT. s. A treatise which comprehends the whole of any 
science ; the digest of the civil law. L. pandecta : G. pan, all, and 
dechomai, to contain. 

PANEGYRIC, s. An encomiastic composition ; praise. F. panegy. 
riqve : G. paneguris ; pan, all, and agureo, to collect; meaning, to 
rehearse all worthy deeds. 

PAN'NEL. s. A square, or piece of any matter, inserted between 
other bodies ; an oblong piece of parchment, (or little pane,) in which 
the sheriff returns the names of jurors. Dim. of the F. panneau, a 
pane. 

PANOPLY, s. Complete armour. G. panoplia ; from pan, all, and 
opla, armour. 

PANORA'MA. s. Avery large painting, extended in a kind of theatre, 
and exhibiting a view of a city, or of some grandly interesting oc- 
currence, such as a conflagration or a battle. G. pan, all, and orama, 
a view. 

PANTHE'ON. s. A temple of all the heathen gods ; a book describing 
the heathen gods. G. pantheion ; comp. of pan, all, and theos, a 
god. 

PANTOM'ETER. s. An instrument for measuring all sorts of eleva- 
tions, angles, and distances. G. panta, all, and metreo, to measure. 

PANTOMIME, s. A theatrical drama of action, without speech. F. 
pantomime: G. pan, all, and mimos, a mimic. 

PANTRY, s. A closet for provisions. F. panetrie ; pain, bread : L. 
panis, bread. 

PAPAL, adj. Relating to the Pope. L. papa, a fond name for father. 
G. pappas. 

PAPAVEROUS, adj. Resembling poppies. L. papaver, a poppy. 

PATER, s. In French, papier ; from papyrus, an Egyptian shrub ; of 
which, paper was originally made. 

PAPIL'LARY. adj. Having vessels resembling teats. L. papilla, a 
nipple, or teat. 

PAR. s. State of equality ; equal value. L. par, equal. 

PAR' ABLE. s. A similitude. G. para bole ; comp. of para, alike, and 
hullo, to deliver, or teach; — that is, to teach one thing, by another 
which resembles it. 

PAR'ACHUTE. s. In aerostation, an instrument to prevent the rapidi- 
ty of descent. G. para, against, and F. chute, a fall. 

PAR'ACLETE. s. Properly, an advocate ? one called to aid or sup- 
port. G. parakletos ; para, to, and kaleo, to call. 

178 



PAR— PAR 

PARA'DE. s. Show; review or exercise of a military corps ; place of 
military exercise. F. parade : L. pareo, to appear. 

PARADISE, s. Garden of Eden ; celestial abode. G. paradeisos, a 
garden : from a Hebrew word, denoting a place set with fruitful 
trees. 

PAR'ADOX. s. A position seemingly absurd, because contrary to 
some received opinion, — yet, true in fact. G. paradoxos ; para, con- 
trary to, and doxos, an opinion. 

PAR'AGOGE. s. A figure, by which a letter or syllable is affixed to a 
word, without adding any thing to its sense. G. paragoge : parago, 
to extend. 

PAR' AGON. s. A model ; something extremely well formed. G. para, 
from, and ago, to form. 

PARAGRAPH, s. A distinct part of a discourse. G. paragraphe ; 
from para, through, and grapho, to write : meaning, through the 
subject. 

PARALEP'SIS. ) s. In rhetoric, a pretended or apparent omission. 

PARALEP'SY. \ G. paraleipsis : para, beyond or by, and leipo, 
to leave. 

PAR'ALLAX. s. The distance between the true and apparent place 
of the sun, or any star, viewed from the earth. G. parallaxis, a 
difference : para, through, and allato, to change. 

PAR'ALLEL. adj. Extended in the same direction, and preserving 
always the same distance ; equal ; like. G. parallelos ; from para, 
by the side, and alios, another. 

PARALLEL'OGRAM. s. A right-lined quadrilateral figure, the oppo- 
site sides of which are parallel and equal. G. parallelos, (see Pa- 
rallel,) and gramma, a figure. 

PARALOGY, s. False . reasoning. G. para, against, and logos, 
reason. 

PAR'ALYSE. v. To effect by a paralysis ; to enfeeble by contention. 
See PARALYSIS. 

PARAL'YSIS. s. A palsy. G. paralusis ; from para, through, and luo, 
to untie ; meaning the sinews, &c. 

PARAMOUNT, adj. Superior. G. para, above, and F. monter, to 
go up. 

PAR' AMOUR, s. A lover, or wooer; a mistress. F. par, for, and 
amour, love, or a love intrigue. 

PARAPHERNALIA, s. Goods in which a wife has a legal property, 
besides her dower ; suitable apparel and ornaments of a wife. G. 
para, besides, and pherne, a dower. 

PAR'APHRASE. s. A loose translation. G. para, alike, or resem- 
bling, and phrasis, a speech. 

PAR'ASITE. s. One who frequents the tables of the rich, and earns 
his welcome by flattery. But, in the early ages, the name of para- 
site, was venerable, for it properly signified a messmate at the table 
of sacrifices. There was in Greece a college of persons, particu- 
larly honoured with this title, whose business it was to select the 
grain, &c. for the public offerings. G. parasitos ; from para, over, 
and sitos, corn. 

PARASOL', s. A portable shelter from the sun. G. para, against, and 
L. sol, the sun. 

179 



PAR— PAR 

PAR'CEL. s. A part ; a small bundle or package. F. parcelle : L. 
pars, a part. 

PAR'DON. v. To excuse an offender; to forgive a crime. F. par- 
do nner ; from the L. per, by or through, and dono, to give. 

PAREGOR'IC. s. An assuaging medicine. G. paregoreo, to miti- 
gate. 

PARENT; s. A father or mother. F. parent : L. parens ; from pario, 
to beget, or bring forth. 

PARENTHESIS, s. A word or sentence, so included within another 
sentence, as that it may be omitted, without injuring the sense of 
that which encloses it. Marked thus ( ). G. para, with, en, in, and 
thesis, a position. 

PAR EXCELLENCE. By way of eminence. F. par, by, and ex. 
cellence, excellence. 

PARHELION, s. A mock sun, or contiguous resemblance of the 
sun. G. para, near, and helios, the sun. 

PARIETAL, adj. Relating to the parietes. See PARIETES. 

PARI'ETES. s. In anatomy, a term used for the enclosures, or mem- 
branes, which stop up or close the hollow parts of the body ; such as 
those of the heart and thorax, L. pi. of paries, a wall. 

PARI PASSU. With an equal pace ; by an equal gradation. L. 
pari, with an equal, passu, pace : abl. of par, and passus. 

PARTSH. s. The particular charge of a secular priest; the district 
which contributes to the support of a clergyman of the established 
church. Low L. parochia : F. paroisse : G. paroikia : para, near to, 
and oikeo, to dwell ; — referring to an ancient convent : the inhabitanta 
of which had the charge of a district, such as we now denominate a 
parish. 

PARITY, s. Equality. F.paritc: L. paritas ; from par, equal. 

PAR'LEY. s. Conference; short treaty. F. parler, to speak. 

PAE/LIAMENT. s. The ancient legislative assembly of the states of 
France; the present British legislature. F. parlement, (formerly, 
parliament,) from parler, to speak. 

PAR'LOUR. s. Primarily, the apartment in a nunnery where the 
nuns are permitted to meet and converse with each other ; hence, 
with us, a [domestic] sitting-room. F. parloir ; from parler, to 
speak, or converse. 

PAROCHIAL, adj. Relating to a parish. See PARISH. 

PAR'ODY. s. A literary imitation. G. parodia ; para, opposite to, 
and ode, a song; that is, a different subject, in the same style. 

PAROLE', s. Words spoken, not written ; a verbal pledge of honour. 
F. parole, a word. 

PAR'OXYSM. s. Periodical action of a disease; a fit. G. paroxusmos ; 
from para, through, and oxuno, to sharpen. 

PARRICIDE, s. The murder of a parent, or any near relation. L. 
paricidium : — one who has murdered a parent, or any near relation : 
paricidia : from parens, a parent, and c<zdo, to kill. 

PARSE, v. To analyze a sentence, into the several parts of speech. 
L. partio, to divide. 

PAR SIMONY, s. Extreme frugality ; sordid inclination for hoarding. 
L. parsimonia ; from parco, to spare or save. 

PAR'SON. s. The priest of a parish. See PARISH. 

180 



PAR— PAT 

PART. s. A portion ; member ; share, &c. L. pars ; partio, to 
divide. 

PARTAKE', v. To have a part of. Comp. of part, and take. 

PARTERRE', s. A selected piece of ground, separated by a fence. F. 
parterre ; parti, divided, and terre, land. 

PARTIAL, adj. Favouring- one party ; affecting- only one part F. 
partial. See PART. 

PARTICIPATE, v. To partake ; to share. L. participo ; from pars, 
a part, and capio, to take. 

PARTICIPLE, s. A word which, besides its primary quality of verb, 
partakes occasionally of the quality of a substantive and adjective. 
L. participium. See PARTICIPATE. 

PAR'TICLE. s. Any small portion of a greater substance ; a (little) 
word unvaried by inflection. L. par tic ula, dim. of pars, a part. 

PARTICULAR, adj. Single ; distinct ; not general ; uncommon, &c. 
L. particula, a small part. See PARTICLE. 

PAR'TISAN. s. An adherent to a faction; a commander of a body of 
troops, who, through patriotism, or some private motive, acts in con- 
cert with the regular army. See PARTY. 

PARTITION, s. Act of dividing ; that which divides. L. partitio ; 
partitus, p. part, of partio, to divide. 

PARTITIVE, adj. In grammar, signifies distributive; as each, or 
every. L. partio, to part or divide : pars, a part. 

PARTURITION", s. State of travail, or labour. L. parturio, to be in 
travail ; from partus, p. part, of pario, to bring forth young. 

PARTY, s. A number of persons confederated in opposition to others ; 
a faction ; one, of two or more litigants : a select assembly, &c. F. 
partie. See PART. 

PASCHAL, adj. Relating to the passover. G. pascha, a passing 
over. 

PASS. v. To go ; to move from one place to another ; to be at an end, 
&c. F. passer : L. passus, a step. 

PASSIM. In various places ; here and there ; a term used by authors, 
when referring generally to the writings of another, without seve- 
rally quoting the pages. L. passim, every where. 

PASSIVE, adj. Unresisting ; suffering ; not active, but being the ob- 
ject of action. L. passivus ; from potior, to suffer. 

PAST. adj. Neither present nor future ; gone through. See PASS. 

PASTOR, s. A shepherd ; a clergyman. L. pastor ; pasco, to feed. . 

PASTURE, s. Grazing land. F. pasture : L. pastus : from pasco, to 
feed. 

PAT'ENT. s. An exclusive privilege. Letters patent, or " open let- 
ters," are so called, because they are not sealed up, but exposed to 
open view, with the great seal pendant at the bottom. From L. 

PATER'NAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to a father. L. paternus ; 
from pater, a father. 

PAT'ER-NOSTER. s. The name of the Lord's Prayer, by the Ro- 
man Catholic church; because, pater and nosier, (our father,) are 
the first two words of that prayer. L. pater, a father, and nosier, 
our. 

PATHETTC. adj. Affecting the finer passions. G. pathetikos. See 
PATHOS. 

q 181 



PAT— PEC 

PATHOL'OGY. s. That part of medical science which treats of the 
distempers incident to the human body, with their differences, causes, 
and effects. G. pathos, a disease, and logos, a description. 

PATH'OS. s. Strong feeling ; the feeling or expression of some pas- 
sion ; energy. G. pathos, passion. 

PA'TIENT. adj. Not easily provoked ; calm under affliction. L. pa. 
tiens ; from patior, to suffer. 

PA'TIENT. s. A person suffering pain, in consequence of disease. 
See the adjective. 

PATRIARCH, s. The father of a tribe. G. patriarches ; comp. of 
patria, a family, and archos, a chief. 

PATRICIAN, adj. Senatorial; noble; not plebeian. L. patricius ; 
pater, a father. 

PAT'RICIDE. s. Murder of a father. L. patris, gen. of pater, a. father, 
and cczdo, to kill. 

PA'TRIMONY. s. An estate possessed by inheritance. L. patrimo- 
nium ; pater, a father. 

PA'TRIOT. s. An active lover of his country. L. patria, one's coun- 
try, or native soil. 

PA'TRON. s. One who countenances, supports, or protects ; one who 
has the appointment to an ecclesiastical preferment. F. patron : L. 
patronns ; pater, a father. 

PATRONYMIC, s. A name expressing that of the father or ancestor : 
as, Tidides, the son of Tydeus ; s Neil, the son of Neil, Mac Gregor, 
the son of Gregor. G. patronumikos ; from paler, a father, and 
onoma, a name. 

PAU'CITY. s. Smallncss of number. L. paucitas ; from pauci, few, 

PAU'PER. s. A poor person ; one who receives alms. L. pauper, 
poor. 

PAUSE, s. A stop ; cessation. F. pause : L. positus, p. part, of pono, 
to place, or lay, or set down. 

PEACE, s. Reconciliation of differences ; respite from war ; rest ; 
quiet. F. paix : L. pax : from pactus, p. part, of pango, to agree 
upon, or contract. 

PEAS' ANT. s. One whose business is rural labour. Y. pay san: pays, 
a country. 

PECCANT, adj. Criminal ; corrupt ; injurious to health. F. peccant : 
L. peccans, part, of pecco, to sin. 

PECCA'VI. s. "I have sinned." To make a person " cry peccavi," 
is, in cant language, to compel him to acknowledge his transgres- 
sion. L. from pecco, to sin. 

PECTORAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the breast. L. pectoralis : 
pectus, the breast. 

PECULATION, s. Robbery of the public; theft of public money. L. 
peculor, to rob the public : probably from pecunia, money. 

PECULIAR, adj. Appropriate ; belonging to any one, with the ex- 
clusion of others. L. peculiaris : peculium, that which a son, or a 
slave, holds of his own, under a father, or a master, which is distinct 
from either of their stocks: pecu, cattle. 

PECUNIARY, adj. Relating to money. L. pecuniarius ; from pecu- 
nia, money. Pliny says, that the first Roman coins, bearing an im- 
pression, were made by order of Servius Tullus, and stamped with 

182 



PED— PEN 

the resemblance of sheep and oxen ; hence, pecunia is derived from 
pecus, a flock of sheep, or other cattle. 

PED'AGQGUE. s. Originally signified a teacher of children, gene- 
rally ; but now it refers only to a pedantic teacher. L. pedagogus : 
G. paidagogos : pais, a boy, or girl, and ago, to guide. 

PED'AL. s. Something designed to be acted upon by the foot; as the 
pedal of an organ, harp, or piano-forte. L. pedalis : pedis, gen. of 
pes, a foot. 

PED' ANT. s. Originally meant one who taught children ; but the 
term is now applied to a man vain of low knowledge, or awkwardly 
ostentatious of his literature. F. pedant : G. paidos, gen. of pais, a 
boy, or girl. 

PEDESTAL, s. The base of a statue or pillar. F. piedestal : L. pe- 
dis, gen. of pes, a foot. 

PEDES'TRIAN. s. One who travels on foot. L. pedesler, performed 
on foot : pes, a foot. 

PEDTCLE. s. That by which the leaf or fruit is fixed to the tree. L 
pediculus, dim. of pes, a foot. 

PED'LER. s. A pedestrian dealer. See PEDESTRIAN. 

PEDOBiVP'TIST. s. One who adheres to the practice of infant bap- 
tism. G. paidos, gen. of pais, a child, and baptizo, to baptize. 

PEDOM'ETER. s. An instrument for showing how far a person has 
walked. L. pedis, gen. of pes, a foot, and G. metreo, to measure. 

PEER. s. An equal ; a nobleman, (the several degrees of peers having 
the same privileges.) F. pair : L. par, equal. 

PELISSE', s. A kind of coat or robe. F. from the L. pellis, a skin. 

PEL'LICLE. s. A thin skin; a film. L. pellicula, dim. of pellis, a 
skin. 

PELLU'CID. adj. Transparent. L. pellucidus ; from per, through, 
and luceo, to shine. 

PEL'TRY. s. Skins. L. pellis, a skin. 

PEN. s. An instrument for writing. L. penna, a quill-feather, or a 
pen. 

PEN AL. adj. Denouncing or enacting punishment ; used for punish- 
ing. F. penal: L. poena, punishment. 

PEN'ALTY. s. Punishment; fine. See PENAL. 

PEN'ANCE. s. Punishment inflicted or suffered as an expression of 
repentance. L. poena, punishment. 

PENCHANT, s. Inclination ; desire. F. from pencher, to incline. 

PENCIL, s. A small brush, used by painters for laying on co- 
lours ; any instrument for writing without ink. L. penicillus. See 
PAINT. 

PEN'DANT. s. Something suspended; a small naval flag. F. pen- 
dant : L. pendco, to hang. 

PENDENT, adj. Hanging. L. pendens, part, of pendeo, to hang. 

PENDENTE LITE. Whilst the suit or contest is pending and 
undelermined. L. from pendeo, to hang, and lis, a dispute, or action 
at law. 

PENDING, adj. Remaining undecided; during. See PENDENT. 

PENDULUM, s. Any weight suspended, so that it may perform os- 
cillations of equal time ; the vibrating movement of a clock. L. 
pendeo, to hang. 

183 



PEN— PER 

PEN'ETRATE. v. To pierce ; to enter ; to reach the meaning. L. 

penetro : penitus, within. 
PENINSULA, s. A tract of land almost surrounded by water. L. 

pene, almost, insula, an island. 
PENITENT, adj. Repentant. L. poenitens, part, of pasniteo ; from 

poena, punishment, pain, remorse. 
PEN'NATED. adj. Winged: — pennated, in botanical language, refers 

to those leaves which grow directly, one against another, on the 

same rib or stalk. L. pennatus : penna, a feather, or wing. 
PEN'SION. s. Pecuniary allowance, given at regular periods, as a 

reward of service, or through charity. F. pension : L. pensus, p. 

part, of pendo, to pay. 
PENSIVE, adj. Sorrowfully thoughtful. Y.pensif; from penser, to 

think. L. penso : pendo, to weigh, or consider on. 
PEN'TAGON. s. A figure with five angles. G. pente, five, and gonia, 

a corner, or angle. 
PENTAMETER, s. A Latin verse of five feet. L. pentametrum : 

G. pente, five, and metron, measure. 
PENTAN'GULAR. adj. Five cornered. G. pente, five, and angular. 
PEN'TARCHY. s. A government in the hands of five persons. G. 

pente, five, and arche, rule. 
PEN'TATEUCH. s. The five books of Moses. G. pente, five, and 

teuchos, a volume. 
PEN'TECOST. s. One of the Jewish feasts ; Whitsuntide. G. pente. 

coste, fifty ; because celebrated fifty days after the passover. 
PENULTIMATE, adj. Last except one. L. penultimus ; comp. of 

pene, almost, and ultimus, the last. 
PENUM'BRA. s. An imperfect shadow. L. pene, almost, and umbra, 

a shadow. 
PENURIOUS, adj. Niggardly ; sordidly mean. L. penuria, scarcity. 
PEN'URY. s. Poverty; indigence. L. penuria, want. 
PEP'TIC. adj. Promoting digestion. G. pepto, to boil or digest. 
PERADVENTURE. adv. Perhaps. L. per, by, and ndventure ; 

meaning, a chance. 
PERAM'BULATE. v. To walk through ; to visit the boundaries. L. 

perambulo : per, through, and ambulo, to walk. 
PER AN'NUM. By the year; for every year. L. per, by, and annum, 

accus. of annus, a year. 
PERCEIVE', v. To know, through the medium of the senses ; to ob- 
serve. F. appercevoir : L. percipio : per, through, and capio, to take. 
PER CENT. By the hundred ; for every hundred. L. per, by, and 

centum, a hundred. 
PERCEPTION, s. The faculty or act of perceiving. L. perceptio : 

perceptus, p. part, of percipio. See PERCEIVE. 
PERCIPTENT. adj. Having the power of perception. L. percipiens, 

part, of percipio, to perceive. 
PER'COLATE. v. To strain, or filter. L. percolo, to filter : per, 

through, and colo, (colore,) to strain. 
PERCUS'SION. s. The act of striking, or shaking violently. L. per- 
cussio ; from percutio, to strike : per, through, and quatio, to shake. 
PER DIEM. By the day ; for every day. L. per, by, and diem ac- 
cus. of dies, a day. 

184 



PER—PER 

PERDITION, s. Destruction : eternal damnation. L. per ditio ; from 

per do, to lose. 
PEREGRINATION, s. Travel. L. peregtinatio ; from per, through, 

and ager, a field, or country. 
PEREMPTORY, adj. Absolute ; dictatorial. L. peremptorivs ; from 

perimo, to take away wholly : that is, to remove all excuse for non- 
performance, 
PEREN'NI AL. adj. Lasting through the whole year ; perpetual. L. 

perennis ; comp. of per, through, and annus, a year. 
PER'FECT. adj. Complete ; without blemish. L. perfectus, p. part. 

ofperjicio, to finish : comp. of per, throughout, and/acto, to make. 
PERFIDY, s. Treachery. L. perfidia ; from per, through, and fides, 

trust. 
PERFLATION, s. Act of blowing through. L. perjiaius, p. part, of 

perjio : per, through, a.ndJlo, to blow. 
PERFORATE, v. To bore ; to pierce. L. perforo ; from per, through, 

and foro, to bore. 
PERFORM', v. To finish ; to execute ; to do. L. per, throughout, 

and for mo, to frame. 
PERFUME, v. To impregnate with sweet scent. F. parfume : L. 

per, throughout, and fumus, smoke, or vapour. 
PERICAR'DIUM. s. A membrane which envelops the heart. G. 

peri, about, and Jcardia, the heart. 
PERICAR'PIUM. s. A membrane which envelops the fruit or grain 

of a plant; or that part of the fruit which encompasses the seed. G. 

peri, about, karpos, fruit. 
PERICRANTUM. s. A membrane which covers the skull. G. peri, 

about, and kr anion, the skull. 
PERTGEE. s. A point in the heavens, where a planet is in its nearest 

distance from the earth. G. peri, towards, and ge, the earth. 
PERIHE'LIUM, or PERIHELION, s. That point of a planet's orbit, 

wherein it is nearest to the sun. G. peri, towards, and helios, the sun. 
PERIL, s. Danger ; hazard. F. peril : L. periculum. See PERISH. 
PE'RIOD. s. A round of time ; a conclusion ; a point of time ; a gram- 

matical point (.). G. periodos ; comp. of per?, through, or around, 

and odos, a w;iy. 
PERIPATETIC, adj. Relating to the peripatetics ; to the philosophy 

of Aristotle and his followers, who taught whilst walking. G. peri, 

about, and pateo, to walk. 
PERIPH'ERY. s. Circumference. G. peri, around, and phero, to 

carry. 
PERIPH'RASIS. s. Circumlocution. G. periphrasis ; from peri, around, 

and phrasis, a speech. 
PERIPNEUMONIA, s. Inflammation of the lungs. G. peri, about, 

and pneumon, the lungs. 
PERTSH. v. To cease to have existence ; to die; to decay : L. pereo : 

per, through, and eo, to go. 
PERISTALTIC, adj. Spiral; vermicular and wormlike. G. peris- 

tallikos : peristello, to involve. 
PERITONE'UM. s. The soft, thin membrane, which lies immediately 

under the muscles of the lower abdomen. G. peri, about, and teino, 

to stretch out. 

ci* 185 



PER— PER 

PER'JURE. v To swear falsely and corruptly. L. perjuro ; comp. 

of per, through, or under pretence, and juro, to swear. 
PER'MANENT. adj. Durable; lasting. L. permanens, part, of per- 

maneo : per, through, and maneo, to remain. 
PERMISSION, s. Leave ; allowance. F. permission ; L. pennissus, 

p. part, of permitto. See PERMIT. 
PERMIT', v. To allow. L. permitto ; from per, through, and mitto, 

to send ; that is, to allow a passage, or entrance. 
PERNI'CIOUS. adj. Highly injurious; destructive. L. perniciosus ; 

from per, through, and noceo, to hurt; meaning, to injure largely. 
PERORA'TION. adj. Tiie concluding division of a formal speech. 

L. peroratio >; from per, throughout, and oro, to speak ; meaning, to 

recapitulate. 
PERPENDICULAR, adj. Hanging or being in a direction towards 

the centre of gravity ; placed so as to form right angles, h.perpen- 

dicularis : per, by, and pendeo, to hang from. 
PERTETRATE. v. To commit; thoroughly to effect; (always taken 

in a criminal sense.) L. perpetro : per, through, and petro, to effect, 

or bring about. 
PERPET'UAL. adj. Never ceasing. L. perpetuus : perpetuo, to con- 
tinue : from per, through, and peto, to seek. 
PERPLEX', v. To puzzle ; to entangle. L. per, through, and plexus, 

p. part, of plecto, to twist. 
PERQUISITE, s. Something gained by a place or office, besides the 

regular wages. L. perquisitus, p. part, of perquiro, to make diligent; 

per, through, and qiuzro, to seek. 
PER SAL' TUM. At a leap ; all at once ; without any intermediate 

stage. L. 
PER SE. By itself; by himself, or herself; by themselves. L. per, 

by, se, itself, himself herself, or themselves. 
PERSECUTE, v. To pursue with malignity; to tease. L. persecutus, 

part, of persequor ; Worn per, through, and sequor, to follow. 
PERSEVE'RE. v. To persist. L. persevero, from per, through, and 

severus, serious, steady. 
PERSIST', v. To persevere. L. persisto ; from per, through, and sisto, 

to continue. 
PERSPECTIVE, s. View ; the science by which objects are properly 

delineated. F. perspectif : L. perspectus, p. part, of perspicio ; per, 

through, and specio, to see. 
PERSPICACITY, s. Quickness of sight. L. perspicax, quick-sighted; 

from per, through, and specio, to see. 
PERSPICUITY, s. Clearness of discourse or writing. L. perspi- 

cuitas ; from per, through, and specio, to see. 
PERSPI'RE. v. To pass through the pores of the skin. L. from per, 

through, and spiro, to breathe, or exhale. 
PERSUADE', v. To influence by argument or expostulation ; to bring 

to any particular opinion. L. persuadeo ; per, through, and suadeo, 

to advise. 
PERTAIN', v. To belong. L. periineo ; from per, by, and teneo, to 

hold. 
PERTINA'CIOUS. adj. Obstinate; resolute. L. perlinax ; from per, 

by, and teneo, to hold. 

186 



PER-PHE 

PERTINENT, adj. Suiting the purpose. L. pertinens. See PER- 
TAIN. 

PERTURB', v. To disquiet; to disturb; to disorder. £,. perturbo ; 
per, through, and turbo, to disorder : turba, a crowd. 

PERTU'SED. adj. Pierced through ; pierced with holes. L. pertusus, 
p. part, of perlundo : per, through, and tundo, to beat. 

PERU SE. v. To read. L. from per, through, and usvs, part, of uior, 
to use or be conversant with. 

PERVA'DE. v. To extend throughout. L. pervado ; from per, through, 
and vado, to march, or move. 

PERVERSE', adj. Perverted ; stubborn. F. pervers. See PERVER- 
SION. 

PERVER'SION. s. The act of perverting. F. perversion : ~L. perversus, 
p. part, ofperverto. See PERVERT. 

PERVERT', v. To turn from the original or proper design. L. per- 
verto ; from per, across, and verto, to turn. 

PER'VIOUS. adj. Admitting a passage. L. pervius ; from per, through, 
and via, a way. 

PEST. s. Plague ; something teasing. F. pesle : L. pestis, infection, 
mischief. 

PESTER, v. To disturb ; to perplex. See PEST. 

PESTIFEROUS, adj. Pestilential ; destructive ; infectious. L. from 
pestis, a pest, or infection, and fero, to carry. 

PETAL, s. The leaf of a flower. G. petalon, a leaf. 

PETTT, or PETTY, adj. A petit jury consists of twelve, and is of 
inferior rank to a grand jury. F. petit, small. 

PETITION, s. Request ; prayer. L. petitio ; from peto, to ask. 

PETTT-MAIT'RE. s. A coxcomb ; a beau. F. petit, little, and maitre, 
a master. 

PET'RIFY. v. To change to stone. L. petra, a rock, and Jio, to be- 
come. 

PETTY, adj. Small ; mean. See PETIT. 

FET'ULANT. adj. Quickly and suddenly impatient; saucy; per- 
verse. L. petitions ; from peto, to seek. 

PHANTASM, s. Something appearing only in the imagination. G. 
phantasma ; from phaino, to appear. 

PHANTASMAGORIA, s. An optical exhibition of figures, resembling 
the supposed form of spectres, &c. by means of a sort of magic lan- 
tern. G. phantasma, a spectre, and agora, an assembly. 

PHANTOM, s. The appearance of a thing otherwise than what it is; 
a false apparition. F. phantome ; from G. phaino, to appear. 

PHARMACEUTIC, or PHARMACEUTICAL, adj. Relating to 
pharmacy. G. pharmakeutikos. See PHARMACY. 

PHARMACOPOEIA, s. A dispensatory; a book containing rules for 
the composition of medicines. G. pharmakon, medicine, and poieo, 
to make. 

PHAR'MACY. s. The art of preparing medicines. G. pharmakon, a 
medicine. 

PHA'SES. s. Appearances exhibited by any body ; as the changes of 
the moon. G. phasis, an appearance. 

PHENOM'ENON. s. Appearance ; extraordinary appearance. G. 
phainomenon ; from phainomai, to appear. 

187 



PHI— PHY 

PHILANTHROPY, s. Love of mankind. G. phileo, to love, and an* 

thropos, man. 

PHILIP'PIC. s. An invective declamation : — from the speeches of 
Demosthenes against Philip, king of Macedon. 

PHILOL'OGY. s. Grammatical learning; criticism. G. phileo, to 
love, and logos, a word, — meaning, language. 

PHIL'OMEL. s. A nightingale. G. Philomela, a Grecian female, who 
is fabulously related to have been changed into a bird. 

PHILOSOPHY, s. Knowledge, natural or moral ; study of nature, 
&c. G. and L. philosophia ; G. phileo, to love, sophia, wisdom. 

PHILTER, s. Something to excite love. G. philtron ; from phileo, 
to love. 

PHLEBOT'OMY. s. The science or practice of bleeding. G. phlebo- 
tomia ; phlebos, gen. ofphleps, a vein, and temno, to cut. 

PHLEGM, s. Watery humour of the body, supposed to produce slug- 
gishness. G. phlegma ; pldego, to burn : hence, the word must have 
originally expressed the matter formed by suppuration. 

PHLEGMATIC, adj. Abounding in phlegm; generating phlegm ; 
dull. G. phlcgmaiikos. See PHLEGM. 

PHLOGISTON, s. An exploded chemical name for an imaginary 
substance, thought to be a constituent part of all inflammable bodies. 
G. phlogizo, to burn. 

PHOSPHORUS, s. A chemical substance, which ignites when ex- 
posed to the air. G. phos, light, and phero, to bring. 

PHRASE, s. An expression; a mode of speech. G. phrasis ; phrazo, 
to speak. 

PHRASEOL'OGY. s. Style; diction. G. phrazo, to speak, and logos, 
a word. 

PHRENETIC, adj. G. See FRENETIC. 

PHRENOL'OGY. s. The science which teaches the discovery of the 
passions and affections of the mind, by inspecting the human skull. 
G. phren, the mind, and logos, a word, or discourse. 

PHREN'SY. s. G. See FRENZY. 

PHTHISICAL, adj. Consumptive. See PHTHISIS. 

PHTHT'SIS. s. A consumption. G. phthisis ; from phthio, to waste. 

PHYLACTERY, s. A bandage worn by the Jews, on which was in- 
scribed some remarkable sentence, as a charm. G. phulacterion ; 
phulake, a guardian. 

PHYSIANTHROPY. s. The philosophy of human life, or the doc- 
trine of the constitution and diseases of man, and the remedies. G. 
phusis, nature, and anthropos, a man. 

PHYSTC. s. The science of healing ; medicine. G. phusike, natural 
philosophy : phusis, nature. 

PHYSTCAL. adj. Relating to nature or to phvsic ; relating to natural 
power. See PHYSIC. 

PHYS'ICS. s. The study of nature. See PHYSIC. 

PHYSIOG'NOMY. s. The fallacious science of discovering the pas- 
sions in the features of the face. G. phusiognomonia ; from phusis, 
nature, and ginosko, to know. 

PHYSIOL'OGY. s. The doctrine of the constitution of the works of 
nature. G. phusis, nature, and logos, a description. 

188 



PHY— PLA 

PHY'TOLITE. s. A plant petrified, or fossil vegetable. G. phuton, a 

plant, and lithos, a stone. 
PHYTOL'OGY. s. A discourse or treatise on plants. G. phuton, a 

plant, and logos, discourse. 
PICTURE, s. A delineated resemblance. L. pictura ; from pictus, 

p. part, of pingo, to paint. 
PIG'MENT. s. Paint. L. pigmentum ; from pingo, to paint. 
PIG'MY. s. A diminutive person. Derived from a nation of dwarfs, 

recorded by the ancients. L. pygmceus : G. pugmaios ; from pugme, 

a measure of length from the fist to the elbow. 
PILAS'TER. s. A square column, sometimes insulated : but usually 

pilasters are set within a wall, projecting only one quarter of their 

diameter. F. pilastre. See PILLAR. 
PIL'LAR. s. Literally, a pile or heap ; hence, a kind of irregular co- 
lumn round an insulate, but deviating from the proportions of a just 

column ; a supporter. F. pilier ; from the L. pila, a pile or pillar. 
PILOS'ITY. s. Hairiness. L. pilosus, hairy : pilus, hair. 
PI'QUANT. adj. Sharp or pungent; severe. F. piquant, part, of 

piquer, to pierce. 
PIQUE, s. Ill will ; offence taken. F. pique ; piquer, to pierce. 
PIRATE, s. A sea-robber. L. pirata : G. peirales ; from peirazo, to 

try, or to seize. 
PIS'CARY. s. Common of piscary, is the right of fishing in another 

man's waters. L. piscis, a fish. 
PIS'CES. s. A sign of the zodiac. L. pisces, pi. of piscis, a fish. 
PISCIVOROUS, adj. Living on fish. L. piscis, a fish, and voro, to 

devour. 
PISCOL'OGY. s. A description of the several sorts offish. L. piscis, 

a fish, and logos, a word, or discourse. 
PITTANCE, s. A very small portion. F. pitance, an allowance for 

one meal in a monastery. 
PIVOT, s. A pin on which any thing turns. F. pivot, a hinge or axis. 
PLACARD', s. An advertisement placed against a wall, &c. F. pla- 
card ; from placer, to place. 
PLA'CID. adj. Gentle ; kind. L. placidus ; from placeo, to please. 
PLA'GIARY. s. A thief in literature ; one who steals the thoughts or 

writings of another. L. plagiarius : G. plagiarios ; from plagios, 

oblique, sly. 
PLAN'ET. s. One of the heavenly bodies which move around the 

sun. L. planeta : G. planao, to wander. 
PLANIMETRY, s. Mensuration of plane surfaces. L. planus, a 

plane, and G. metreo, to measure. 
PLANISPHERE, s. A map of one or both hemispheres, drawn on a 

flat surface. L. planus, level, and sphaira, a sphere. 
PLANOCON'VEX. adj. Flat on one side, and round on the other. L. 

planus, level, and convexus, crooked, or arched. 
PLAS'TER. s. An adhesive composition. F. pldtre : G. plasso, to 

daub, or to fashion, mould, or shape. 
PLAS'TIC. adj. Having the power to give form. G. plastikos ; from 

plasso, to form. 
PLATONTC. adj. Platonic love is purely mental; not sensual. Plato % 

the Athenian philosopher. 

189 



PLA— FLU 

PLAUD'IT. s. Loud applause. L. plaudo, to make a noise by clap- 
ping. 
PLAUS'IBLE. adj. Such as gains approbation ; right in appearance; 

specious. L. plausibilis. See PLAUDIT. 
PLEAS'URE. s. Delight ; gratification ; loose gratification ; approba- 
tion ; choice. L. placeo, to please. 
PLEBEIAN, adj. Relating or belonging to the common people; vul. 

gar. L. plebes, the common people. 
PLE'IADES. s. A northern constellation. G. Pleiades; a name 

given to seven daughters of Atlas, who are fabulously related to have 

been placed in the heavens, after death. 
PLEN'ARY. adj. Full ; without any exception. L. plenus, full. 
PLENIPOTENTIARY, s. A negotiator invested with full power to 

conclude a treaty. F. plenipotentiare : L. plenus, full, and potentia, 

power. 
PLENITUDE, s. Fulness ; completeness. F. plenitude : L. pleni- 

tudo ; plenus, full. 
PLENTY, s. Abundance; sufficiency. L. plenus, full. 
PLEONASM, s. The using of more words than are necessary. L. 

pleonasmus : G. pleonazo, to abound. 
PLETH'ORA. s. Injurious abundance of the humours in the human 

vessels. G. plethora ; from plethos, fulness. 
PLEURISY, s. An inflammatory disorder near the breast. G. pleura, 

a membrane which girds or surrounds the ribs. 
PLI'ABLE. adj. Flexible. F. pliable ; from plier, to bend. 
PLICATION, PLICATURE. s. Fold ; double. L. plico, to fold. 
PLI'ERS. s. An instrument used for bending wire, &c. F. plier, to 

bend. 
PLINTH, s. A fiat, square member, which serves as a foundation to 

the base of a pillar ; a square projection at the bottom of a wall. G. 

plinihos, a tile. 
PLU MAGE, s. Feathers. See PLUME. 

PLUMB , s. A plummet ; a leaden weight suspended to a cord, in or- 
der to mark a line perpendicular to the horizon. — adj. Perpendicular 

to the horizon. L. plumbum, lead. 
PLUME, s. A feather ; a bunch of feathers. L. pluma, a feather. 
PLUME, v. To adorn with plumes ; to feel pride. See the substantive. 

When it is said that a man plumes himself, it is figuratively denoting 

that he dresses himself in gaudy feathers, as a reward of his assumed 

merit. 
PLUMIG'EROUS. adj. Feathered. L. pluma, a feather, and gero, to 

carry. 
PLU'MIPEDE. s. A fowl that has feathers on its feet. L. plumipedis ; 

gen. of plumipes : pluma, a feather, and pes, a foot. 
PLUMMET, s. A leaden weight, suspended to a cord, to ascertain 

depth and perpendicularity. See PLUMB. 
PLUPERFECT, adj. The name of a grammatical tense. L. plus, 

more, and perfect. 
PLU'RAL. adj. Implying more than one. L. pluralis ; from pluris, 

gen. of phis, more. 
PLURALTTY. s. A number more than one ; majority. See PLURAL. 
PLUS. More ; opposed to m in us. L. 

190 



PLU— POL 

PLU'VIAL, PLU'VIOUS. adj. Rainy ; relating to rain. L. pluvialis, 

pluvius : pluvia, rain. 
PLUVIOMETER, s. An instrument for showing the quantity of rain 

that falls. L. pluvia, rain, and G. metreo, to measure. 
PNEUMATICS, s. The science of the density and pressure of the 

atmosphere. G. pneuma, wind. 
POACHER, s. One who steals game. F. poche, a pocket or bag. 
POD'AGRAL. adj Afflicted with the gout. G. podagra, the gout : 

podos, gen. ofpous, the foot, and agra, a catching, or weakness. 
PO'EM. s. The work of a poet; a metrical composition, h.po'ema: 

G.poiema. See POET. 
POET. s. An author of fiction, generally in measured verses or 

rhyme. L. po'eta : G. poieo, to do, or invent. 
POI'GNANT. adj. Sharp ; painful. F. poignant : L. pungo, to prick. 
POFGNARD. s. A sort of dagger. F. poignard ; from the L. pungo, 

to prick. 
POINT, s. The sharp end; moment; grammatical stop ; degree, &c 

F. point :■ L. punctus or punctum, from pungo, to prick. 
POLEMTCAL. adj. Controversial. G. polemikos ; from polemos, war. 
POLI'CE. s. The regulation or government of a city or country, so 

far as respects the inhabitants; a guard under the orders of the po- 
lice government. F. police : G. polis, a city. 

POLTCY. s. The art of government; prudence; management of af- 
fairs ; stratagem. See POLICE. 

POLTSH. v. To make smooth and bright ; to make elegant in man- 
ners. L. polio, to make smooth. 

POLI'TE. adj. Elegant in manners ; refined. L. politus, p. part, of 
polio. See POLISH. 

POLITICAL, adj. Relating to national affairs. G. politikos : polis, 
a city or state. 

POLLU TE. v. To defile ; to corrupt. L. polluo, to infect ; from G. 
polu, much, and L. lues, pestilence or blight. 

POL'YCHORD. s. A musical instrument, having many chords or 
strings. G. polus, many, and chord. 

POLYGAMY, s. Plurality of wives. G. polugamia ; from polus, 
many, and gameo, to marry. 

POLYGLOT, s. A book which has many languages. G. poluglottos ; 
from polus, many, and glotta, a tongue. 

POLYGON, s. A figure of many angles. G. polus, many, and gonia, 
a corner, or angle. 

POL'YGRAM. s. A figure consisting of many lines. G. polus, many, 
and gramme, a line. 

POLYPET' ALOUS. adj. Having many petals. G. polus, many, and 
petalon, a petal. 

POL'YPUS. s. Signifies, in general, any thing with many roots, or 
feet. It is used to denote also a particular excrescence on the nose. 

G. polupous : polus, many, and pous, a foot. 
POLYSYL'LABLE. s. A word containing more than three syllables. 

G. polus, many, and syllable. 
POLYTEC'NIC. adj. A polytecnic school is an institution where 
many sciences are taught. G. polus, many, and techne, an art or 
science. 

191 



POL— POR 

POLY'THEIST. s. One who believes in a plurality of gods. G.polus, 

many, and tkeos, a god. 
POM'ACE. s. The substance of apples or of similar fruit, crushed by 

grinding-. L. pomum, an apple. 
POMIF'EROUS. adj. Apple-bearing ; an epithet applied to plants 

which bear the larger fruits. L. pomum, an apple, and fero, to 

bear. 
POMOL'OGY. s. A description of fruit ; the science of cultivating 

fruit-trees. L. pomum, an apple, and G. logos, a description. 
POMP. s. Splendour; pride. L. pompa : G. pompe; from pempo, to 

send forth. 
PON'DER. v. To consider. L. pondero, to weigh. 
PONDEROUS, adj. Heavy. L. ponderosus : pondus, a load. 
PON'TAGE. s. Duty paid for the reparation of bridges. L. pontes, 

gen. of pons, a bridge. 
PONTON', s. A military bridge. F. ponton : L. pons, a bridge. 
POP'ULACE. s. The common people. F. populace : L. populus, the 

people. 
POPULAR, adj. Suitable to the common people ; beloved by the peo- 
ple. L. popularis ; from populus, the people. 
POPULOUS, adj. Thickly inhabited. L. populosus ; from populus, a 

people. 
PORCELAIN, s. Fine earthen-ware. F. porcelaine ; from the Por- 
tuguese, porcellana, a cup. 
PORE. s. Spiracle of the skin ; passage of perspiration ; any narrow 

spiracle or hole. G. poros, a passage. 
PORE. v. To inspect with minute attention. Derived from the noun; 

meaning, to look into the smallest cavity, or examine for the least 

defect, &c. 
PORT. s. A harbour for ships, made convenient for receiving and dis- 
charging merchandise. L. portus : — (an aperture for cannon : porta, 

a gate :) from porto, to carry. 
PORTABLE, adj. That may be easily carried. F. portabilis ; from 

porto, to carry. 
PORT' AGE. s. Price of carriage ; land-road, between two navigable 

waters. F. portage : L. porto, to carry. 
PORTCUL'LIS. s. A gate, in a fortified place, suspended in a groove. 

F. portcoulisse : port, a gate, and coulisse, a groove : couler, to glide. 
PORTEND', v. To give notice, by some appearance. L. portendo ; 

from porto, to carry : that is, to carry a sign. 
PORTER, s. A common carrier. L. porto, to carry : a gate-keeper ; 

porta, a gate. See PORT. 
PORTFO'LIO. s. A case for large papers. L. porto, to carry, and fo- 
lium, a leaf. See FOLIO. 
POR'TION. s. A part ; a share. F. portion : L. portio : partio, to 

divide. 
PORT'LY. adj. Stately. L. porto, to carry ; meaning to carry or 

hold the person erectly. 
PORTMANTEAU, s. A bag for carrying clothes. F. portmanteau : 

from porter, to carry, and manteau, a cloak. 
POR'TRAIT. s. A picture, generally of a human being. F. portrait. 

See PORTRAY. 

192 



POR— POS 

PORTRAY', v, To describe by picture. F. portraire : pour, for, and 

L. traho, to draw. 
POSI'TION. s. Situation; posture; principle laid down. li.p)sitio; 

from positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 
POS'ITIVE. adj. Absolutely fixed; dogmatical. L. positivus ; from 

pono. See POSITION. 
POS SE. s. An attendant crowd ; a vulgar abbreviation of posse comi. 

tatus, 
POSSE COMITA' TUS. The power of the inhabitants of a county ; 

which the sheriff is authorized to call forth, when opposition is made 

to the execution of justice. L. posse, (infin. of possum,) to have the 

power, comi tut us, of the county. 
POSSESSION, s. The state of having in one's own hands or power ; 

property. L. possessio ; from possessus, p. part, of possideo, to pos- 
sess : potis, able, and sedeo, to sit. 
POSSIBLE, adj. Practicable. L. possibilis ; from posse, to be able, 

to have power. 
POST. s. Station; employment; office; a hasty messenger, who has 

the advantage of horses, placed at convenient stations ; quick man- 
ner of travelling; (a piece of timber, &c, set upright; L. postis.) 

F. poste : L. positus, p. part, of pono, to place. 
POSTDATE, v. To date after the real time. L. post, after, and date. 
POSTDILU'VIAN. adj. After the Flood. L. post, after, and diluvium, 

a deluge. 
POSTERIOR, adj. Subsequent; hinder. L. posterior; from post, 

after. 
POSTERTTY. s. Succeeding generations. L. posteritas ; from post, 

after, and hares, an heir. 
POS'TERN. s. A back-gate ; a little private gate or door. L. post, 

behind. 
POSTHUMOUS, adj. After death. L. posthumus ; from post, after, 

and humo, to bury : humo is from humus, earth. 
POSTLIMINTAR. \ adj. Contrived, done, or existing subsequently ; 
POSTLIMTNOUS. ( opposed to preliminary. L. post, after, and ti- 

men, a threshold or entrance. 
POSTIL'LION. s. One who guides the leading horses of a post-chaise; 

one who guides a post-chaise. F. postilion. See POST. 
POSTMERIDIAN, or P. M. adj. After noon. L. post, after, and 

meridian. 
POST MORTEM. After death. L. post, after, mortem, accus. of 

mors, death. 
POST O BIT. A post-obit bond is that which promises payment of 

money after the death of a certain person ; generally by his heir. 

L. post, after, obit, he dies : from obeo. 
POSTPO'NE. v. To place after (with to) ; to adjourn ; to delay. L. 

postpono : comp. of post, after, and pono, to place. 
POS 1 'SCRIPT, or P. S. s. A paragraph added to the end of a letter, 

«&c. L. post, after, and scriptus, p. part, of scribo, to write. 
POSTULATE, s. A position supposed or assumed without proof. L. 

postulatus, part, of postulo, to will, or demand. 
POS'TURE. s. State; position. F. posture: L. positura. See PO- 
SITION. 

a 193 



PUT— PRE 

PO'TABLE. adj. Such as may be drunk. L. potabilis ; from poto, to 
drink. 

POTA'TION. s. Draught; species of drink. L. potatio : poto, to drink. 

PO'TENT. adj. Having power ; strong ; efficacious. L. potens, part. 
of possum, to be able. 

PO'TENT ATE. s. A sovereign. F. potentat. See POTENT. 

POTEN'TIAL. adj. The potential mood denotes the power or possibi- 
lity of acting. L. potentialis. See POTENT. 

POUND, s. In law, an inclosure for the safe keeping of cattle dis- 
trained ; from the L. ponendo, abl. gerund of pono, to put or place. 

POVERTY, s. Indigence; meagerness. F. pauvrete: L. pauper, 
poor. 

PRACTICAL, adj. Relating to action ; not theoretical. See PRAC- 
TICE. 

PRACTICE, s. Use; custom; habit; performance; medical treat- 
ment; professional employment. L. practicus, practical: G. prak- 
tike : prasso, to act. 

PRjECOG' NIT A. s. Things previously known. L. pra, before, and 
cognitus, p. part, of cog nose o, to know. 

PRAGMATTC. adj. Meddling ; intrusive. F. pragmalique : G. prag- 
ma, business. 

PRA'IRIE. s. In the United States, a natural meadow, covered with 
long, coarse grass. F. 

PRAVTTY. s. Badness of heart ; malignity ; corruption. L. pravitas ; 
from pravus, crooked, wicked. 

PRE' AMBLE, s. Preface. F. preambule : L. pra, before, and ambulo, 
to walk. 

PREB'END. s. The stipend or maintenance, granted out of the estate 
of a cathedral or collegiate church. F. prebende ; from L. prabeo, 
to afford or allow. 

PREB'END ARY. s. A stipendiary of a cathedral. L. prebendarius ; 
from prabeo, to allow. 

PRECARIOUS, adj. Dependent ; uncertain, because depending on 
the will of another. L. precarius ; from precor, to supplicate. 

PRECATORY, adj. Suppliant. L. precatus, part, of precor, to 
pray. 

PRECAU'TION. s. Preventive measure. L. pra, before, and caution. 

PRECE'DE. v. To go before. L. pracedo : comp. of pra, before, and 
cedo, to go. 

PRE'CEDENT. s. A rule or example to future times. L. pracedens, 
part, of pracedo. See PRECEDE. 

PRECENTOR, s. Leader of a choir. L. pracentor ; from pracinor, 
to sing before : comp. of pra, before, and cano, to sing. 

PRE'CEPT. s. Rule; commandment. L. praceptum ; from pra, be- 
fore, and capio, to take or design. 

PRECEPTOR, s. A teacher.. L. praceptor. See PRECEPT. 

PRECESSION, s. The act of preceding. F. precession: L. prcecessus, 
part, of pracedo. See PRECEDE. 

PRE'CINCT. s. Boundary; suburb. L. pracinctus ; from praecingo, 
to enclose. 

PRECIOUS, adj. Of great price ; valuable. L. pretiosus ; from pre- 
Hum, a price. 

194 



PRE— PRE 

PRECIPICE, s. A perpendicular declivity. L. pracipitium. See 
PRECIPITATE. 

PRECIPITATE, v. To throw head-foremost; to fall head-foremost ; 
to hurry forward. L. pracipito : pra, before, and caput, the head. 

PRECI'SE. adj. Exact; formal. L. pracisus, p. part, of pracido, to 
pare off: pra, before, and cado, to cut. 

PRECLUDE, v. To shut out, or hinder. L. pracludo ; from pra, 
before, and claudo, to shut. 

PRECLUSION, s. Act of precluding ; state of being precluded. L. 
praclusus, p. part, of pracludo. See PRECLUDE. 

PRECOC ITY. s. Early maturity. L. pracox : from pro;, before, and 
coquo, to boil, or ripen. 

PRECOGNITION, s. Previous knowledge. L. pra, before, and cog- 
nition. 

PRECONCEIVE', v. To conceive previously. L. pra, before, and 
conceive. 

PRECURSOR, s. Forerunner. L. precursor ; from pra, before, and 
curro, to run. 

PRE' DAL. adj. Plundering. L. prada, plunder. 

PREDATORY, adj. Plundering; ravenous. L. pradatorius ; from 
prada, plunder. 

PREDECESSOR, s. One that preceded another. F. predecesseur : 
L. pra, before, and decessus, part, of decedo, to depart. 

PREDES'TINATE. v. To appoint beforehand. L. pra, before, and 
destino, to design. 

PREDETERMINE, v. To determine previously. L. pra, before, and 
determine. 

PRE'DIAL. adj. Consisting of farms; the produce of a farm. L. pra- 
dium., a farm. 

PREDICAMENT, s. In logic, a category ; a series or order of all 
the predicates or attributes contained under any genus ; class or kind 
described by any definite marks ; hence, condition, particular situa- 
tion, or state. We say the country is in a singular predicament. L. 
pradicamentum : from pradico, to affirm. See PREDICATE. 

PREDICATE, v. To affirm any thing of another thing. L. pradico : 
from pra, before, and dico, to say. 

PREDICT', v. To foretel. L. pradictum, sup. of pradico : from pra, 
before, and dico, to say. 

PREDOMINANT, adj. Having the ascendancy ; prevalent. Y. pre- 
dominant : L. pra, before, and dominant. 

PRE-EMINENT, adj. Supremely eminent. L. pra, before, and emi- 
nent. 

PRE-EMPTION, s. The right of purchasing before another. L. pra, 
before, and emptio, a purchasing : emptus, p. part, of emo, to pur- 
chase. 

PRE-EXIST', v. To exist previously. L. pra, before, and exist. 

PREF'ACE. s. Introductory discourse. L. prafatio : from pra, before, 
and fatus, part, of for, to speak. 

PREFATORY, adj. Introductory. L. See PREFACE. 

PREFECT, s. A governor ; a commander. L. prafectus : from pra- 
ficio, to put in authority: pra, before, and facio, to make. 

195 



FRE— PRE 

PREFER', v. To regard more than another ; to advance. L. jprasfero : 

from prce, before, and fero, to bring or carry. 
PREFIX', v. To place before. L. from prce, before, and fix. 
PREG'NABLE. adj. That may be won by force. L. prcegno, to fill. 
PREG'NANT. adj. With young; teeming; full. F. pregnant: L. 

prcsgnans : pr<e, before, and gigno, to engender, or bring forth. 
PRE HEN SIGN. s. Act of laying hold of, or seizing. L. prehensio : 

prehensus, p. part, o! prehendo, to take. 
PREJUDGE', v. To judge previously, without waiting for proper evi- 
dence L. prce, before, and judge. 
PREJUDICE, s. Judgment formed without examination ; (injury : 

but this sense is improper ;) L. pro, judicium ; from prce, before, and 

judicium, judgment. 
PR EL' ATE. s. An ecclesiastic of the highest order. L. prcelatus : 

from prce, before, and laius, part, of feror, to be borne. 
PRELA'TION. s. Preference ; the setting of one before another. L. 

pralatio : prcelatus, p. part, of prceferor : prce, before, and fero, to 

bring. 
PRELECTION, s. Reading; lecture. L. prcelectio : prce, before, and 

lectio, a reading. 
PRELIBA'TION. s. Taste beforehand. L. prce, before, and libo, to 

taste. 
PRELIMINARY, adj. Introductory. L. prce, before, and limen, a 

threshold or entrance. 
PREL'UDE. s. Introductory entertainment; precursor. L. pr<B. 

ludium : from pr<z, before, and ludo, to play. 
PRELUSIVE, adj. In the manner of a prelude. See PRELUDE. 
PREM'ATURE. adj. Unfinished ; immature. L. prcematurus ; from 

prcB, before, and maturus, ripe. 
PREMEDITATE, v. To think upon previously; to design. L. prce, 

before, and meditate. 
PREMTER. s. A chief; a prime minister. F. premier: L. primus, 

first. 
PREMI'SE. v. To make a previous explanation, or proposition. L. 

pra, before, and missum, sup. ofmitto, to send. 
PREMTSES. s. Propositions antecedently supposed or proved ; also, 

by a perversion of language, house, or lands. See PREMISE. 
PRE'MIUM. s. Something given to invite a loan or bargain ; a re- 
ward. L. prmnium. See PROEM. 
PREMON'ISH. v. To forewarn ; to admonish previously. L. prtc- 

moneo : prce, before, and moneo, to warn. 
PREMONSTRA'TION. s. The act of showing previously. L. prce, 

before, and monstro, to show. 
PRENO'MEN. s. Amongst the Romans, a name prefixed to the family 

name, corresponding with our Christian name, as Caius, Lucius, 

Marcus, &c. L. pr&nomen : prce, before, and nomen, a name. 
PRE-OC'CUPY. v. To occupy previously. L. prce, before, and occupy. 
PREPA'RE. v. To make ready. L. pr&paro : from prce, before, and 

paro, to make or shape. 
PREPENSE', adj. Preconceived; contrived before-hand; as malice 

prepense. L. prcepensus : prce, before, and pensus, p. part, of pendo, 

to weigh or deliberate on. 

196 



PRE— PRE 

PREPONDERATE, v. To outweigh ; to overpower by superior in- 
fluence. L. prapondero : pra, before, and pondero, to weigh. 

PREPOSI'TION. s. In grammar, an indeclinable word, governing a 
case. L. prapositio : from pra, before, and positus, p. part, of pono, 
to place. 

PREPOS'ITIVE. adj. In grammar, signifies placed before; and, in 
this sense, is opposed to subjunctive. L. propositus, p. part, of pra- 
pono. See PREPOSITION. 

PREPOSSESS . v. To impress an opinion before due examination ; to 
prejudice. L. pros, before, and possess. 

PREPOS'TEROUS. adj. Having that first, which ought to be last ; 
perverted ; absurd. L. praposterus : pra, before, and posterus, the 
following : post, after. 

PREROGATIVE, s. Peculiar privilege ; something required or de- 
manded before, or in preference to, all others. L. prarogativa : from 
pr<B, before, and rogo. to demand or propose: — alluding to a privi- 
lege enjoyed by some persons in Rome, of giving their votes the 
first. 

PRES'AGE. s. Prognostic. L. prasagium: from pra, before, and 
sagax, quick-scented, or cunning. 

PRESBYTERIAN, s. An advocate for the government of. the church 
by presbyteries, composed of elders. G. presbuteros, an elder. 

PRES'CIENCE. s. Foreknowledge. L. prcesciens, part, of prascio : 
from pra, before, and scio, to know. 

PRESCRIBE, v. To order ; to direct, &c. L. prascribo ; from pra, 
before, and scribo, to write, or appoint. 

PRESCRIPTION, s. Custom which has become law ; medical recipe. 
L. prascriptio. See PRESCRIBE. 

PRESENT, adj. Not ;ibsent; not past, nor future. F. present: L. 
prasens, part, of prasum : comp. of pra, before, (meaning in pre- 
sence of,) and sum, I am. 

PRESENT', v. To place in the presence of; to exhibit to view or no- 
tice ; to offer as a gift. See the adjective. 

PRESENT, s. A complimentary gift; pi. presents, things written, 
and presented or offered in the manner of evidence, — as in a lease, 
&c. See the verb. 

PRESERVE', v. To keep with care; to save ; to prepare fruits, &c. 
so that they may be kept from spoiling. L. praservo : comp. of pra, 
before, and servo, to keep. 

PRESI'DE. v. To sit as president. L. prasideo : from pra, before, 
and sedeo, to sit. 

PRES'IDENT. s. One who presides, or occupies the highest place. 
L. prasidens, part, of prasideo. See PRESIDE. 

PRESS, v. To squeeze ; to crush ; to distress ; to constrain ; to urge, 
&-c. F. presser : L. pressvs, p. part, of premo, to press. 

PRESUME, v. To assume before permission, or proof. L. prasumo : 
from pra, before, and sumo, to take. 

PRESUMP'TION. s. Assumption without permission. L. prasumptus, 
p. pirt. of prasumo. See PRESUME. 

PRETEND', v. To make a false representation; to claim. L. pra- 
tendo : from pra, before, and tendo, to stretch forth [something as a 
deception.] 

k * 197 



PRE— FKL 

PRETERIMPER'FECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some 
grammarians, to one of the past tenses. L. prater, beside, and im- 
perfect. 

PRE TERIT. adj. Past. L. prateritus, p. part, ofpratereo; from pra- 
ter, beside, and eo, to go. 

PRETERNAT'URAL. adj. Not natural; miraculous. L. prater, more 
than, and natural. 

PRETERPER'FECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some 
grammarians, to one of the past tenses. L. prater, beside, and 
perfect. 

PRETERPLUPER'FECT. adj. An irrational term, applied, by some 
grammarians, to one of the past tenses. L. prater, beside, and plu- 
perfect. 

PRE'TEXT. s. Pretence. L. pratextus, p. part, of pratexo, to cloak 
or cover : pra, before, and tectus, p. part, of tego, to cover. 

PREVAIL', v. To overcome ; (with on, over, or against,) to predomi- 
nate; to have influence. L. pravaleo : from pra, before, and valeo, 
to be strong. 

PREVALENT, adj. Predominant ; common. L. praoalens, part, of 
pravaleo. See PREVAIL. 

PREVARICATE, v. To vary in giving evidence. L. prevaricor : from 
prce, concerning, and vario, to vary. 

PREVENT', v. To obstruct. L. praventum, sup. of pravenio : pra y 
before, and venio, to come. 

PRE'VIOUS. adj. Antecedent. L. pravius : pra, before, and via, a 
way ; that is, being before another, in proceeding. 

PRIMA FACIE. On the first view ; without referring to any thing 
subsequently. L. prima, on the first, facie, face, or figure : primus, 
and fades. 

PRI'MATE. s. The chief bishop. L. pri?nas : from primus, first. 

PRIME, adj. The first ; the best. L. primus, first. 

PRIME, v. To put powder into the pan of a gun; to lay on the first 
paint. Sec the adjective. 

PRIM'ER. s. A child's school-book. L. primus, first. 

PRIME'VAL. adj. Such as was at first. L. primavus : from primus, 
first, and cevum, an a^e. 

PRIMTTIVE. adj. Original; ancient; uncompounded. h.primiiivus: 
primus, first. 

PRIMOGEN ITURE. s. Seniority. F. primogeniture : L. primus, first, 
and genitus, begotten. 

PRIMORDIAL, adj. Original. L. primordium, the beginning ; from 
primus, first, and or do, a rule. 

PRIMROSE, s. An early flower. L. primus, first, and rose. 

FRI'MUM MOB'ILE'. That which gives motion to all the other 
parts. L. primum, the first, mobile, moved : primus and mobilis. 

PRINCE, s. A sovereign ; son of a king. F. prince : L. princeps, 
first, chief: primus, first, and capio, to take. 

PRINCIPAL, adj. Chief; essential; important. F. principal: L. 
principalis. See PRINCIPLE. 

PRINCIPIA NON HOMINES. Principles, not men: the motto 
chosen by Mr. Monroe, when elected president of the United 
States. 

198 



PHI— PRO 

PRINCIPLE, s. Element ; constituent part ; rule ; moral guide. F, 
principe : L. principium : principis, gen. of princeps, first, original : 
primus, first, and capio, to take. 

PRINT, v. To mark by pressing ; to use the art of typography, &c. 
L. imprimo : in, into, or upon, and premo, to press. 

PRIOR, adj. Former ; anterior. L. prior, the former. 

PRIOR'ITY. s. Precedence, in time or place. See PRIOR. 

PRIS'ON. s. A jail. F. prison : pris, part, of prendre, to seize. 

PRIS'TINE. adj. Ancient ; former. L. pristinus : prior, the former. 

PRI'VATE. adj. Retired; secret; individual. L. privatus, p. part, of 
privo, to take away. 

PRIVATION, s. Removal of something desired. L. privatio : from 
privo, to take away. 

PRIVILEGE, s. Peculiar advantage ; something, of w r hich others are 
deprived ; private right. F. privilege : L. privilegiurn : privus, par- 
ticular, and legis, gen. of lex, a law. See PRIVATE. 

PRIVITY, s. Private communication ; private concurrence. F. pru 
vault. See PRIVY. 

PRIVY, adj. Private ; secret ; admitted to secrets of state, (as the 
privy council :) Y.prive. See PRIVATE. 

PRIZE, s. A reward gained by a contest with competitors ; a vessel 
or merchandise captured at sea ; gain in a lottery. F. prix, or prise, 
from prendre, to take. 

PRO AND CON. A vulgar abbreviation of pro and contra, for and 
against. 

PROBABLE, adj. Apparently true. L. probabilis : from probo, to 
prove or allow. 

PROBATE, s. Proof of a will. L.probatus: from probo, to prove, or 
allow. 

PROBATIONER, s. One who is upon trial ; a novice. L. probatio, 

^ a trial ; from probo, to prove. 

PROBATORY, adj. Serving for trial. L. probo, to prove. 

PROBE, v. To examine a deep wound with an instrument. L. probo, 
to try. 

PROBITY, s. Honesty; veracity. L. probitas : from probatus, (p. 
part, of probo,) proved. 

PROB'LEM. s. A question proposed. G. problema : proballo, to pro- 
pose : pro, before, and ballo, to throw. 

PRO BONO PUBLICO. For public benefit. L. 

PROCEED', v. To move forward; to act; to issue. L. procedo : from 
pro, forward, and cedo, to go. 

PROCESS, s. Progressive course ; operation ; course of law. F. pro- 
ces : L. processus : from procedo. See PROCEED. 

PROCESSION, s. A train moving in ceremonious solemnity. F. 
procession : L. processio. See PROCESS. 

PROCLAIM', v. To make public. L. proclamo : pro, before, and 
clamo, to call. 

PROCON'SUL. s. A deputy consul. L. pro, for, and consul. 

PROCRASTINATE, v. To defer through idleness. L. procrastinor : 
from pro, for, eras, to-morrow, and teneo, to hold. 

PROCREATE, v. To generate; to produce. L. procreo: pro, for- 
ward, and creo, to create. 

199 



PRO— PRO 

PROCTOR, s. A manager of another's affairs; an attorney of the 
spiritual court; the magistrate of a university. L. procurator. See 
PROCURE. 

PROCURATION. 8. Power giyen to transact business for another. 
L. procuratio. See PROCURE. 

PROCURE, v. To obtain ; to cause. L. procuro ; from pro, for, and 
euro, to take care of. 

PROD IGAL. adj. Lavish. L. prodigus ; from prodigo, to drive forth : 
pro, before, and ago, to drive or act. 

PRODIGY, s. Something out of the ordinary course of nature. L. 
prodigium. — This word seems to have an affinity with prodigal. 

PRODUCE, v. To exhibit; to bring forth. L. produco ; from pro, 
signifying forward, and duco, to bring. 

PRODUCE, s. That which any thing yields, of a material nature. 
It is different in its meaning from product, which is an arithmetical 
result. See the verb. 

PRO'DUCT. s. Result; sum; of an arithmetical, rather than of a 
material kind. It is used in a different sense from produce, which 
is a material result. L. produclus, p. part, of produco. See PRO- 
DUCE. 

PRODUCTION, s. The act of producing ; the thing produced ; pro- 
duce. F. production. See PRODUCT. 

PROEM, s. Preface ; introduction. Old F. proline : L. procemium : 
G. prooimion : pro, before, and oime, a way. 

PROFANE, adj. Irreverent to sacred things; not sacred. L. pro- 
fanus : pro, before, and fanum, a temple. 

PROFESS', v. To declare openly ; to follow as a profession. F. pro- 
fessus, part, of projiteor : from pro, before, and fateor, to confess. 

PROFI'CIENT. adj. Highly advanced in the knowledge of any thing. 
L. projiciens, part, of proficio, to go forward : pro, before, and facio, 
to do. 

PROFTT. s. Gain ; pecuniary advantage; accession of good. F. profit: 
L. profectus ; from proficio: pro, forward, and facio, to make. 

PROFLIGATE, adj. Abandoned; completely lost to virtue and de- 
cency. L. profiigatus : pro, forward, andfiAgo, to dash or beat. 

PROFOUND', adj. Very deep ; humble; intellectually deep. L. pro- 
fundus : pro, before, or far off, and fundus, the bottom. Profound 
may be applied to great learning, by supposing that a scholar has 
examined deeply : and to humility, from the posture in bowing. 

PROFUNDITY, s. Depth. See PROFOUND. 

PROFU'SE. adj. Prodigal; exuberant. L. proj usus, part, of profundo y 
to pour out. 

PROGENITOR, s. A forefather; a person, either male or female, 
from whom another has descended. L. progenitor ; from pro, before, 
and genn, to beget. 

PROG'ENY. s. Offspring. L. progenies : pro, forward, and genus, a 
race. 

PROGNOS'TIC. s. Something by which we may foretel ; an omen. 
G. prognostikos : pro, before, and ginosJco, to know. 

PROGRESS, s. Motion forward ; advancement. L. progressus ; from 
pro, forward, and gressus, part, of gradior, to go: gradus, a step. 

PRO H AC VICE. For this turn ; for the present occasion. L. 

200 



PRO— PRO 

PROHIB'IT. v. To forbid ; to hinder. L. prohibeo ; from pro, before, 
and habeo, to have or hold -.meaning - , some obstruction. 

PROJECT', v. To throw forward; to jut out; to contrive. L. pro- 
jectum, sup. of projicio ; from pro, before, and jacio, to throw. 

PROLATE, adj. Extended beyond an exact round. L. prolatus, p. 
part, of profero, to thrust out : pro, before, and fero, to carry. 

PROLEGOMENA, s. Preliminary observations. G. pro, before, and 
lego, to speak. 

PROLEP'SIS. s. A form of rhetoric, by which objections are antici- 
pated; an error in chronology, by which events are dated too early. 
G. prolepsis : pro, before, and lambano, to take. 

PROLIFIC, adj. Fruitful ; productive. F. prolifiaue : L. proles, a 
race, and facio, to make. 

PROLIX, adj. Long ; not concise. L. prolixus ; from pro, and laxus, 
loose. 

PROLOCUTOR, s. Speaker of a convocation. L. prolocutor ; from 
pro, for, and loquor, to speak. 

PROLOGOM'ENA. s. Prefatory matter. G. pi. of prologomenon. See 
PROLOGUE. 

PRO'LOGUE. s. Preface ; something spoken before the beginning of 
a play. G. prologos ; from pro, before, and logos, a word. 

PROMENA'DE. s. A walk ; a place for walking. F. from promener, 
to walk ; pro, signifying forward, and metier, to carry, or lead. 

PROMTNENT. adj. Projecting ; conspicuous. L. prominens, part, 
of promineo, to jut out. 

PROMISCUOUS, adj. Mingled ; confused. L. promiscuus ; from pro, 
and misceo, to mix. 

PROM'ISE. s. Declaration of design ; expectation ; hope. L. promis- 
sum ; from pro, before, and mitto, to send : that is, to send out the 
declaration before the performance is accomplished. 

PROM'ONTORY. s. High land, jutting into the sea; a cape or head- 
land. L. promontorium : pro, before, and mons, a mountain. 

PROMO'TE. v. To forward ; to advance. L. promotum, sup. of pro. 
move.o ; from pro, forward, and moveo, to move. 

PROMPT, adj. Ready ; quick ; instant. F. prompt : L. promptus, p. 
part, of promo, to draw out, or bring forth. Prompt payment is 
money drawn out. 

PROMP'TER. s. One who aids the memory, as at a theatre. See 
PROMPT. 

PROMUL'GATE. v. To make public. L. promulgo : — the primitives 
seem to be pro, before, and vulgus, the common people. 

PRONE, adj. Lying with the face downward, as in the act of wor- 
shipping; bending downward ; inclined. L. pronus, downward. 

PRO'NOUN. s. A word used instead of a noun. L. pro, instead of, 
and noun. 

PRONOUNCE', v. To utter; to declare. L. pronuntio ; from pro, be- 
fore, (in presence of,) and nuntio, to tell. 

PROP'AGATE. v. To continue to increase the kind, by generation 
or successive production. L. pro, forward, and ago, to go or drive. 

PROPEL', v. To drive forward. L. propello ; from pro, forward, and 
pello, to drive. 

201 



PRO— PRO 

PROPEN'SITY. s. Strong inclination; desire. L. propensio; from 
propensus, part, of propendeo : pro, forward, and pendeo, to hang. 

PROPER, adj. Peculiar; not common ; natural; suitable. F. proprc : 
L. proprius, peculiar. 

PROP'ERTY. s. Peculiar quality ; disposition ; thing possessed in 
one's own right. See PROPER. 

PROPH'ET. s. One who foretels by divine inspiration. G. prophetes ; 
from pro, before, and phemi, to say. 

PROPHETIC, or PROPHETICAL, adj. Foreseeing or foretelling 
future events. See PROPHET. 

PROPHYLACTIC. ( adj. In medicine, preventive; defending 

PROPHYLACTIC AL. £ from disease. G. prophulaktikos : pro, 
before, and phulasso, to preserve. 

PROPI'TIATE. v. To gain the favour of. L. propilio : probably from 
piope, near; because the heathens always solicited their deities to 
be near or present, to give their aid in favour of their designs. 

PROPORTION, s. Comparative relation; symmetry. L. proportio ; 
from pro, according to, and portio, a part: that is, one part agreeing 
with another. 

PROPOSE, v. To offer for consideration. L. propositum, sup. of pro- 
pono ; from pro, before, and pono, to place. 

PROPOUND', v. To propose. L. propono. See PROPOSE. 

PROPRIETOR, s. An owner. L. See PROPERTY. 

PROPRIETY, s. Accuracy ; justness. L. proprietas ; from proprius, 
fit. See PROPER. 

PROPUL'SION. s. Act of propelling. L. propulsus, p. part, of pro- 
pello. See PROPEL. 

PRO RATA. Proportionally ; according to a prescribed rate. L. 

PRO RE NAT A. For the thing as it arises; for the occasion as it 
happens. L. 

PRORO'GUE. v. To prorogue a parliament is to continue it from one 
session to another. L. prorogo, to defer ; from pro, forward, and 
rogo, to desire or request. 

PROSCEN IUM. s. The large open space, in front of the scenes of a 
theatre, in which the actors perform their parts. L. comp. of pro, 
before, and scena, a scene. 

PROSCRIBE, v. To doom to destruction ; to forbid. L. proscribo ; 
from pro, concerning, and scribo, to write. 

PROSCRIPTION, s. Act of proscribing. L. proscriptio : proscriptus, 
p. part, of proscribo. See PROSCRIBE. 

PROSE, s. Language not restrained to harmonic sounds or regular 
number of syllables. F. prose: L. prosa ; from prorsus, straight for- 
ward ; by way of opposition to versus, (hence verse,) a turning back- 
ward. See VERSE. 

PROS'ECUTE. v. To pursue ; to continue. L. prosequor ; from pro, 
forward, and seqvor, to follow. 

PROS'ELYTE. s. A convert; one brought over to a new opinion, 
such as from the Jewish or Mahomedan, to the Christian faith. But 
a. proselyte must be distinguished from a convert : — the latter con- 
forms with the heart ; the former, only by outward action. L. pro- 
sclytus : G. proselutos ; from proserchomai, to be come to, or be 
added to. 

202 



PRO— PRO 

PROS'ODY. s. That part of grammar which teaches the just sound 
and quantity of syllables, and the measures of verse. G. prosodia : 
pros, for, and ode, a song. 

PROSOPOPOEIA, s. Personification. G. prosopopoiia ; from prosopon, 
a person, and poieo, to make. 

PROSPECT, s. View of something distant. L. prospectus, part, of 
prospicio ; from pro, forward, and specio, to see. 

PROSPECTIVE, adj. Relating to a distant view. See PROSPECT. 

PROSPECTUS, s. Plan, generally of a proposed literary work. L. 
prospectus. See PROSPECT. 

PROSPER, v. To favour; to render or be successful, h.prospero: 
G. pros, towards, and phero, to bear. 

PROSPI'CIENCE. s. The act of looking forward. L. prospiciens, 
part, of prospicio : pro, forward, aud specio, to see. 

PROSTERNA'TION. s. Act of overthrowing. L. pro, forward, and 
sterno, to spread, or prostrate. 

PROS'TITUTE. v. To expose to crime, or commit sin, for a reward. 
L. prostituo ; from pro, forward, and statum, sup. of sto, to stand; 
meaning, to offer one's services in a public market. 

PROSTRATE, adj. Lying at length ; thrown down. L. prostratus, 
p. part, of prosterno ; from pro, before, and sterno, to spread. 

PROSTYLE, s. In architecture, a range of columns in the front of a 
temple. G. prostulos : pro, before, and stulos, a column. 

PRO TAN' TO. For so much ; for that quantity. L. 

PROTECT', v. To shield ; to defend. L. protectum, sup. of protego ; 
from pro, before, and tego, to cover. 

PRO- TEMPORE. For a time ; not permanently. L. pro, for, tem- 
pore, abl. of temp us, time, or a time. 

PROTER'VITY. s. Peevishness. L. prater vitas : protervus, saucy, 
peevish. 

PROTEST', v. To record in the manner of a notary ; to object. L. 
protestor ; from pro, for, and testor, to bear witness : testis, a witness, 

PROTHON OTARY. s. Chief notary, or register. G. protos, first, 
and notary. 

PROTOCOL, s. The original copy ; a record or registry. G. protos, 
first, and kolla, glue ; so called, perhaps, from the gluing together of 
pieces of paper, or from the spreading of it on tablets. It was for- 
merly the upper part of the leaf of a book, on which the title or name 
was written. 

PROTOMAR'TYR. s. The first martyr ; a term applied to St. Ste- 
phen. G. protos, first, and MARTYR. 

PROTOPLAST, s. The original ; the thing first formed as a copy to 
be imitated. G. protos, first, and plastos, formed. 

PROTOTYPE, s. The original. F. prototype : G. prototupon ; from 
protos, first, and tvpos, a mark or form. 

PROTRACT, v. To lengthen ; to prolong a continuation ; to delay. 
L. protractum, sup. of protraho ; from pro, forward, and traho, to 
draw. 

PROTRU'DE. v. To thrust forward. L. protrudo ; from pro, before, 
and trudo, to thrust. 

PROTRUSION, s. Act of protruding. L. protrusus, p. part, of pro- 
trudo. See PROTRUDE. 

203 



PRO— PUI 

PROTU BERANCE. s. A swelling ; prominence. L. pro, before, (on 

the surface,) and tuber, a bunch or excrescence. 
PROVERB, s. A short moral sentence. L. proverbium ; from pro, 

for, and verbum, a word ; meaning an expression used for something 

particular. 
PROVERBIAL, adj. Mentioned as a proverb; resembling a proverb. 

See PROVERB. 
PROVI'DE. v. To make ready beforehand ; to supply ; to stipulate. 

L. provideo ; from pro, before, and video, to see. 
PROVIDENCE, s. The act of providing; divine superintendence. 

F. providence. See PROVIDE. 
PROVINCE, s. Originally, a conquered country ; generally, a large 

district. L. provincia ; from pro, before, and vinco, to conquer. 
PROVIS'ION. s. Something provided : stipulation. L. provisio ; from 

provideo. See PROVIDE. 
PROVISO, s. Stipulation; condition. L. proviso, abl. of provisus, p. 

part, of provideo. See PROVIDE. 
PROVOCATION, s. Act or cause by which anger is excited. L. pro- 

vocalio. See PROVOKE. 
PROVO'KE. v. To enrage ; to promote. L. provoco : from pro, for- 
ward, and voco, to call. 
PROW. s. The forepart of a ship. F. proue : G.prora: from pro, be- 

fore, and rheo, to proceed. 
PRO'WESS. s. Bravery ; valour ; courageous excitement which places 

a man forward, or in the front of a battle. F. prouesse. See 

PROW. 
PROXIM'ITY. s. Nearness. L. proximitas : from proximus, nearest. 
PROX'Y. s. The agency of another ; the agent employed. Abbrevia- 
tion of L. proximus, a neighbour. See PROXIMITY. 
PRU'DENT. adj. Provident ; discreet. F. prudent : L. prudens, an 

abbreviation of providcns. See PROVIDE. 
PRU'RIENCE. s. Great desire or appetite for any thing. L. pruriens, 

part, ofprurio, to itch. 
PSALM, s. A holy song. G. psalmos, a tune for a musical instru- 
ment ; from psallo, to strike [the harpstrings] : psallo, signifies also, 

to praise in song, — the harp being originally used for songs of praise ; 

as by David. 
PSAL'TER. s. The volume of psalms. G. psalterion : from psallo. 

See PSALM. 
PSEU'DO. adj. False ; counterfeit. G. pseudos, false. 
PU'BERTY. s. Sexual maturity. L. pubertas : from puber, of ripe 

age. 
PUBLISH, v. To make public ; to issue from the press. L. publico, 

to make public. 
PU'CELAGE. s. State of virginity. Y.pucelage: pucelle, a maid. 
PU'ERILE. adj. Boyish; childish. L. pucrilis ; from puer, a boy. 
PUER'PERAL. adj. Relating to childbirth. L. puer, a child, and 

pario, to bring forth. 
PfjGNA'CITY. s. Quarrelsomeness ; inclination to fight. L. pugna- 

cilas : pugna, a fight. 
PUISNE', adj. A puisne (puny) judge, is one of inferior rank. F. 

puisne, younger : puis, afterwards, and ne, part, of naitre, to be born. 

204 



PUI— PUR 

PUISSANT, adj. Powerful. F. from pouvoir, to be able. 

PUL'CHRITUDE. s. Beauty. L. pulchritudo : pulcher, beautiful. 

PUL'MONARY. adj. Relating to the lungs. L. pulmo, the lungs. 

PULSA'TION. s. The act of beating or moving rapidly against some- 
thing opposing ; the beating of the pulse. L. pulsalio : pulsus, p. 
part, ofpello, to strike. 

PULSE, s. The perceptible action of the blood, in certain parts of the 
body. L. pulsus : from a part, of pello, to strike. 

PUL'VERIZE. v. To reduce to powder. L. pulveris, gen. of pulvis^ 
dust. 

PUNCTILIO, s. A nice point of exactness; etiquette. See PUNC- 
TUAL. 

PUNCTILIOUS, adj. Extremely exact. See PUNCTUAL. 

PUNCTUAL, adj. Attentive to the time appointed ; exact. F. punc- 
tuel : L. punctum, a point. See POINT. 

PUNCTUA'TION. s. The act or method of pointing, or placing stops. 
L. punctum, a point. See POINT. 

PUNCTURE, s. A hole made by a sharp point. L. punctum, a point. 
See POINT. 

PUNGENT, adj. Sharp on the tongue ; piercing ; acrimonious. L. 
pungens, part, of pungo, to prick. 

PUNISH, v. To pain; to afflict with pain. L. punio : posna, pain. 

PU'NITIVE. adj. Awarding or inflicting punishment. L. punio, to 
punish. 

PU'NY. adj. Inferior ; weak. See PUISNE'. 

PU'PIL. s. A scholar. L. pupillus, a male orphan ; papilla, a female 
orphan : from papa, a baby : also, the apple of the eye ; alluding to 
the small image reflected by the eye. 

PUP'PET. s. A small image, moved by wires, in a mock drama. L. 
pupus, a young child. 

PURCHASE, v. In law, to acquire an estate, by any method except 
by descent : — to obtain at an expense, as of labour or danger ; to buy 
for a price. F. pour, for, and chasser, to chase or pursue. 

PUR'GATORY. s. A temporary hell, or place of purgation from sin, 
believed to exist by the Roman Catholics. L. purgatorium : from 
purgo. See PURGE. 

PURGE, v. To cleanse. L. purgo, to cleanse. 

PUR'LIEU. s. Besides the creation of new forests, the Norman kings 
of England made great additions to the Saxon forests, by encroach- 
ing upon the lands of their subjects. These encroachments, called 
purlieus, were afterwards disafforested, as far as regarded the rights 
of the land-owner ; but they continued subject to the forest laws, in 
respect to all other persons. F. pur, pure, or unmixed, and lieu, 
place. 

PUR'PORT. s. Design; tendency. F. pourporte : from pour, for, and 
porter, to carry. L. pro, and porto. 

PUR'POSE. s. Intention; effect of the intention. F. pour, for, and 
poser, to place : L. pro, and pono. 

PURSUE', u. To chase ; to continue. F. poursuivre : from pour, for, 
and suivre, to follow. 

PURSUIVANT, s. An attendant on the heralds. F.poursuivant, part, 
of poursuivre, to follow. 

s 205 



PUR— QUA 

PURULENT, adj. Consisting of corrupted matter. L. purulentus : 
from puris, gen. of pus, corruption. 

PURVEYOR, s. One who collects provisions ; a procurer. F. pur- 
voyeur : from pour, for, and voir, to see. 

PUS. s. Matter issuing from a sore. L. pus, corruption. 

PUSILLANIM'ITY. s. Cowardice. F. pusillanimite : L. pusillus, 
weak, and animus, the soul, or mind. 

PUSTULE, s. A small swelling. F. pustula : pus, matter, or cor- 
ruption. 

PUTATIVE, adj. Supposed; reputed. F.putatif: L. puto, to think. 

PUTREFY, v. To rot ; to become foul. F. putrifier : L. putris, rotten, 
and Jio, to become. 

PUTRESCENT, adj. Growing rotten or foul. L. putrescens, part. 
ofputresco : from putris, rotten. 

PUTRID, adj. Rotten; foul. L. putridus, rotten. 

PYG'MY. See PIGMY. 

PYRAMID, s. A solid figure, the sides of which are plain triangles, 
meeting in a point F. pyramide : G. puramis ; from pur, fire : be- 
cause fire ascends in a similar form. 

PY'RITES. s. A mineral, sometimes called ^re-stone. Some of its 
varieties are sulphurets of iron, and others, sulphurets of copper, with 
a portion of alumine and silex. G. pur, fire. 

PY'ROFUGE. s. A machine, by which persons may escape from fire. 
G. pur, fire, and L. fugio, to flee. 

PYROL'ATRY. s. The worship of fire. G. pur, fire, and latreia, 
worship. 

PYROLIG'NOUS. adj. The acid called pyrolignous, resembles the 
acetous ; and is obtained by exposing wood, confined in a cylinder 
of iron, to the action of fire. G. pur, fire, and L. lignum, wood. 

PYROL'OGY. s. A treatise on heat ; the natural history of heat, latent 
and sensible. G. pur, fire, and logos, discourse. 

PYR'OMANCY. s. Divination by fire. G. pur, fire, and manteia, 
divination. 

PYROM'ETER. s. An instrument, invented by Wedgewood, for ascer- 
taining the heat of ovens, furnaces, and intense fires. G. pur, fire, 
and metreo, to measure. 

PYROPH'ORI. s. Compound substances, which ignite on the admis- 
sion of atmospheric air. G. pur, fire, and phero, to bear. 

PYROTECHNICS, s. The art of making fireworks. G. pur, fire, and 
techne, art. 

PYRR'HONISM. s. Scepticism ; universal doubting. Pyrrho, a Gre- 
cian philosopher, the founder of the Sceptics. 

Q. 

QUAD'RANGLE. s. A square ; a surface with four right angles. L. 

quadravgulus : quadratus, (from quatuor, four,) squared, and angu- 

lus, an angle. 
QUAD'RANT. s. A quarter; the quarter of a circle; an instrument 

for measuring altitudes. L. quadrans, the fourth part : qualuor, 

four. 

206 



QUA— QUA 

QUAD'RATE. adj. Square ; divisible into four equal parts. L. quad. 

ratus, part, of quadro, to square : quatuor, four. 
QUADRATIC, adj. Square; denoting a square, or pertaining to it. 

See QUADRATE. 
QUADRATURE, s. The act of squaring; state of being square; the 

first and last quarter of the moon. L. quadratura. See QUAD- 
RATE. 
QUADREN'NIAL. adj. Lasting four years; happening once in four 

years. L. quadriennium, the space of four years; comp. of quatuor, 

four, and annus, a year. 
QUAD'RIBLE. adj. Capable of being squared. L. quadro, to square : 

quatuor, four. 
QUADRILATERAL, adj. Having four sides. L. quatuor, four, and 

Uteris, g-en. of latus, a side. 
QUADRILLE', s. A kind of game at cards, and also a dance in which 

four partake. F. from the L. quatuor, four. 
QUADRIPAR'TITE. adj. Having four parts. L. quatuor, four, and 

partitus, p. part, of partio, to divide : pars, a part. 
QUADRUPED, s. An animal which has four feet. L. quadrupedis, 

gen. of quad 'rupes : from quatuor, four, and pes, a foot. 
QUADRU'PLE. adj. Fourfold ; four times told. L. quadruplus : qua- 

tuor, four. 
QUADRIPLICATE, v. To double twice ; to make fourfold. L. 

quadrnplico : quatuor, four, and plico, to fold. 
QUALIFY", v. To adapt ; to furnish with what is necessary for a par- 

ticular state or profession ; to abate. F. qualifier : L. qualis, such 

as, and facio, to make. 
QUALITY, s. Sort, relatively considered; property; rank. L. qua- 

litas : qualis, of what kind; such as. 
QUAMDI'U SE BENE GES'SERIT. As long as he shall conduct 

himself properly ; a condition on which the English judges hold their 

offices. L. quamdiu, as long as, gesserit, (from gero,) he shall con. 

duct, se, himself, bene, well. 
QUAN'TITY. s. Indeterminate weight or measure ; portion ; proso- 

dial measure. L. quantitas. 
QUAN'TUM. s. Quantity; amount; proportion assigned. L. quan- 
titas, from quantus, how much, or as much as. 
QUAN'TUM MERUIT. As much as he has earned, or deserved. L. 

quantus, and mereo. 
QUAN'TUM SUFFI'CIT. As much as is sufficient. L. quantus and 

sufficio. 
QUA' RE IMPE'DIT. The name of a writ, which lies for the patron 

of a church -living, against the person who has disturbed his right 

of advowson. L. quare, wherefore, i/npedit, (from impedio,) he 

hinders. 
QUAR'ANTINE. s. Originally, the space of forty days, in which a 

ship, suspected of infection, was obliged to forbear intercourse with 

the port to which she was bound ; but the duration of quarantine is 

now variable. F. quarantaine : quarante, forty. 
QUAR'REL. s. A breach of concord ; a brawl ; a dispute. F. que- 

relle ; L. querela, a complaint : quero, to complain. 

207 



QUA— QUI 

QUART, s. The fourth part of a gallon. F. quart : L. quartus, the 
fourth ; from quatuor, four. 

QUART' AN. adj. A quartan ague occurs every fourth day. L. qvar- 
tanus : quartus, the fourth : quatvor, four. 

QUARTA'TION. s. A chemical operation, by which, three parts of 
silver are fused with a fourth part of gold, in order to purify the 
latter. L. quartus, the fourth. 

QUART'ER. s. A fourth part ; a region of the skies, as denoted by 
the mariner's compass ; a particular region of the town or country, 
without regard to arithmetical division : hence, the term quarters, 
for military. F. quartier : L. quartus : quatuor, four. 

QUART I LE. s. An aspect of the planets, when they are ninety de- 
grees (the fourth of a circle) distant from each other. L. See 
QUARTER. 

QUARTO, s. A book in which every sheet of paper makes four leaves. 
L. abl. of quartus, the fourth. 

QUASH, v. To crush ; to subdue suddenly ; to annul ; to abate. L. 
quatio, to shake or shatter. 

QUA'TERCOUSINS. s. Those within the first four degrees of kin- 
dred. F. quatre, for, and cousins. 

QUATERNITY. s. A term which includes four. L. quaterni : qua- 
tuor, four. 

QUE'RENT. s. The complainant. L. querens, part, ofqueror, to com- 
plain. 

QUERIST, s. An inquirer. L. qucero, to seek. 

QUER'ULOUS. adj. Mourning; whining; habitually complaining. 
L. querulus : querela, a complaint; queror, to complain. 

QUE'RY. s. A question ; an inquiry to be resolved. L. qucsre, imper. 
of qucero, to seek. 

QUEST, s. Search. F. queste : L. qucesitus, p. part, of qucero, to 
seek. 

QUES'TION. s. Interrogatory; subject of inquiry or debate; doubt. 
F. question : L. questio : qucesitus, p. part, of qucero, to seek. 

QUID-NUNC. s. A news-hunter, or coffee-house politician. L. quid, 
what, nunc, now. 

QUIESCENT, adj. Not moving ; reposing. L. quiescens, part, of 
quiesco, to be quiet. 

QUIET, adj. Still ; free from disturbance ; inoffensive. L. quietus, 
part, of quiesco, to be quiet. 

QUIETUS, s. A cant word, denoting something to render a person 
tame or submissive. L. quietus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest. 

QUI'NARY. adj. Consisting of five. L. quinarius : quinque, five. 

QUINQUAGES'IMA. adj. "Quinquagesima, or Shrove Sunday, is the 
fiftieth day before Easter, reckoned by whole numbers. L. fern, of 
quinquagesimus, the fiftieth. 

QUINQUENNIAL, adj. Lasting five years; happening once in five 
years. L. quinquennis : quinque, five, and annus, a year. 

QUINTESSENCE, s. An imaginary fifth being of the old philoso- 
phers ; an extract from any thing, containing all its virtues, in a 
small bulk. L. quinta, fem. of quintus, the fifth, and essence. 

QUINTUPLE, adj. Fivefold. L. quintuplus : quinque, five. 

QUIRE, s. A body of singers. F. choeur. See CHOIR. 

* 208 



QUI— RAD 

QUIT. u, To relinquish; to leave off; to abandon; to resign. F. 
quitter : L. quietus, p. part, of quiesco, to rest. 

QUI TAM. An action in the manner of an information on a penal 
statute. L. qui, who, tarn, as well : that is, the informer, who as 
well, for the king- as for himself, sues, &c. 

QUIT-RENT. s. Quit-rents, quieti reditus ; so called because thereby 
the tenant goes quit and free of all other services. See QUIT. 

QUO' AD HOC. As far as this [point of the argument, &c] L. 
quoad, as much as, or, as far as, hoe, this. 

QUO AN'IMO. " With what mind," or with what design or intention. 
L. abl. of qui, and animus. 

QUO JURE, By what right. L. abl. of qui, a.nd jus. 

QUO MO' DO. In what manner. L. abl. of qui, and modus. 

QUON'DAM. Having been formerly. L. quondam, in time past. 

QUORUM, s. A term used to distinguish a magistrate of a certain 
rank; a bench of magistrates ; a number of any members sufficient 
to transact business. The term is thus used, from the words of the 
commission, — " quorum, A. B. unurn esse volumus,'''' {of whom, A. B. 
we wish you to be one.) Where a commission is directed to seven 
persons, or to any three of them, whereof A. B. and C. D. are to be 
two ; in this case, they are said to be of the quorum {of whom ;) be- 
cause, the rest cannot proceed to business without them ; — so, " a 
justice of the peace and quorum," is one, without whom the rest of 
the justices, in some cases, cannot proceed ; and a quorum of any 
deliberative assembly has the same relation. 

QUO'TA. s. Share ; proportion assigned to each. L. fern, of quotus ; 
from quot, as many as. 

QUOT1DTAN. adj. A quotidian fever returns every day. L. quolidi- 
anus : quot, every, and dies, a day. 

QUO'TIENT. s. A number produced by the division of two other 
given numbers, the one by the other : as, the quotient of 50, divided 
by 10, is 5. F. quotient: L. quoties, as many times. 

QUO WARRANTO. By what warrant, or authority. L. 

R. 

RAB'BLE. s. A tumultuous crowd ; the lowest of the populace. L. 

rabula, a wrangler : rabo, to rave, or be mad. 
RAB'DOMANCY. s. Pretended divination by means of rods. G. rab- 

dos, a rod, and manteia, a foretelling. 
RA'DIANT. adj. Emitting rays ; shining. L. radians, part, of radio, 

to emit beams and rays, or to glitter : radius, a ray : G. rabdos, a 

small branch, or rod. 
RA'DIATED. adj. Adorned with rays. L. radiatus. See RADIANT. 
RADTCAL. adj. Affecting the root ; primitive; implanted by nature. 

F. radical: L. radicis, gen. of radix, a root. 
RADTCATE. v. To form a root ; to plant deeply and firmly. L. ra. 

dicor : radix, a root. 
RADTCLE. s. That part of the seed, which, after its vegetation, be- 
comes its root. L. radicula, dim. of radix, a root. 
RA'DIUS. s. The semidiameter of a circle ; (pi. radii.) L. radius, a 

ray : G. rabdos, a small branch, or rod. 

s* 209 



RAG-RAT 

RAGOUT', s. Meat stewed and highly seasoned. F. from gout, taste, 
RAL'LY. v. To re-assemble and put in order dispersed forces. F. 

rattier : re t again, and oilier, to join : — to tease by frequent attempts 

of satire; railler, to jeer. 
RAMBLE, v. To wander at large, without any fixed object in view. 

L. re, back, or again, and ambulo, to go about. 
RAMTFY. v. To separate into branches. F. ramijier : L. ramus, a 

branch, and facio, to make. 
RA'MOUS. adj. Branchy. L. ramus, a branch. 
RAMTART. s. In fortification, an elevation of earth around a place, 

capable of resisting cannon. F. rempart ; from remparer, to fence. 
RAN'CID. adj. Emitting a putrid smell. L. rancidus, musty, stale. 
RANCOUR, s. Inveterate malignity. F. rancoeur : ranee, rusty, and 

coeur, the heart : L. rancidus and cor. 
RANGE, v. To place in a row, or in order; to rove at large, as if 

along the entire row. F. ranger : rang, a row. 
RANK. s. A row ; a class or order ; degree, as if denoting in what 

row. F. rang, a row. 
RANSOM, s. Price of redemption, from captivity or punishment. F. 

rangon. 
RAPA'CIOUS. adj. Addicted to plunder, or seize by violence. F. 

rapace : L. rapax. See RAPINE. 
RAPACITY, s. Inclination to plunder; exercise of plunder. F. ra- 

pacite : L. rapacitas : rapax, ravenous ; rapio, to pull, or take by 

violence. 
RAPTD. adj. Swift. F. rapide : L. rapidus : raptus, p. part, of rapio, 

to take by violence. 
RA'PIER. s. A species of sword. F. rapiere : L. rapio, to take by 

violence. 
RAPTNE. s. Act of plundering; violence. F. rapine: L. rapina : 

rapio, to pull, or take by violence. 
RAP'TURE. s. Extasy ; violence of any pleasing affection or passion. 

L. rapturus, (part, of rapto,) about to take, or hurry away, by vio- 
lence. 
RA'RA A'VIS. A rare bird ; something singular or wonderful. L. 

rara, fern, of rarus, rare, and avis, a bird. » 

RARE. adj. Scarce ; uncommon ; unfrequent. F. rare : L. rarus, 

thin, or not thick set. 
RAREFACTION, s. Act of rarefying. L. rarus, thin, and /actio, a 

power of making : facio, to make. 
RA'REFY. v. To make thin, or less dense. F. rarejier : L. rarus, 

thin, and facio, to make. 
RA'RITY. s. Uncommnnness ; a thing valued for its scarcity. F. 

rarite : L. raritas. See RARE. 
RAS'URE. See RAZ'URE. 

RATE. s. Assigned value; allowance; degree; rank; mode of ac- 
tion ; degree to which any thing is done ; tax. L. ratus, part, of 

rear, to suppose. 
RATIFY, v. To confirm; to sanction. F. ratifier : L. ratus, (part. 

ofreor,) established, and facio, to make. 
RA'TIO. s. Rate ; proportion. L. from ratus, part, of reor, to suppose. 
RATIOCINATION, s. The act of reasoning, or of deducing conse- 

210 



RAT-REC 

^aenees from premises. L. ratiocinatio : ratiocinatus, part, of ratio* 
cinar, to cast an account, or reckon. See RATIO. 

RATIONAL, adj. Having the power of reasoning ; in conformity 
with reason ; judicious. L, rationalis : ratio, reason* See RATE. 

RAVAGE, v. To plunder; to lay waste. F. ravager : L. rapio, to 
take by violence. 

RAY. s. A beam of light ; any lustre, corporeal or intellectual. F. 
rale; from the L. radius. See RADIUS. 

RAZE. v. To make level with the ground ; to ruin ; to efface. F. 
raser : L. rasus, p. part, of rado, to shave. 

RA'ZOR. s. A knife for shaving the beard. L. rasor ; from rasus, p. 
part, of rado, to shave. 

RA'ZURE. $. Erasure; act of erasing. F. rasure : L. razura. See 
RAZE. 

RE'AL. adj. Not fictitious, but actually existing; genuine; consisting 
of things immovable, as land, — not transitory, as furniture or money. 
L. realis : res, a thing. 

RE' ALIZE. v. To make real ; to acquire beyond the reach of contin- 
gency ; to induce one's mind to believe any extreme happiness or 
affliction. See REAL. 

REALM, s. A kingdom ; a king's dominions. F. roiaulme ; roi, a king. 

REANTMATE. v. To revive. L. re, again, and animate. 

REAS'ON. s. Rational faculty; mind; cause; motive; justice; mode- 
ration. F. raison : L. ratio ; from ratus, part, of reor, to suppose, oy 
judge. 

REAS'ONABLE. adj. Rational ; just ; moderate. F. raisonnable. See 
REASON. 

REASSU'ME. v. To resume ; to take again. L. re, again, and assume. 

REASSURE, v. To assure again. L. re, again, and assure. 

REBAPTI'ZE. v. To baptize again. L. re, again, and baptize. 

REBEL', v. To revolt, after being conquered ; to rise against lawful 
authority. L. rebello : comp. of re, again, and hello, to wage war : 
helium, war. 

REBUILD', v. To build again. L. re, again, and build. 

RE'BUS. s. A word represented by a picture. L. rebus, (abl. pi. of 
res,) by things. 

REBUT'. To repel. F. rehuter : L. re, back, and hatuo, to beat. 

RECANT', v. To retract ; to contradict one's former professions. L. 
recanto: comp. of re, again, and canto, to sing. 

RECAPIT'ULATE. v. To repeat the heads of a former discourse ; to 
capitulate again. F. recapituler : L. re, again, and capitulatim, by 
heads or chapters : caput, a head. 

RECE'DE. v. To fall back ; to retreat. L. recedo : re, back, and 
cedo, to depart. 

RECEIPT', s. The act of receiving ; written evidence of a thing re- 
ceived. L. receptum : receptus, p. part, of recipio. See RECEIVE. 

RECEI'VE. v. To take or get into one's possession; to embrace intel- 
lectually ; to admit. F. recevoir : L. recipio : re, back, or again, 
and capio, to take. 

RE'CENT. adj. New ; late ; fresh. L. recens, new. 

RECEPTACLE, s. A vessel or place into which any thing is received. 
L. receptaculum. See RECEIPT. 

211 



REC-REC 

RECEPTION, s. Act of receiving ; state of being received, See 

RECEIPT. 
RECEP'TIVE. adj. Having the faculty of receiving. See RECEIPT. 
RECESS', s. Retirement ; secession ; place of retirement, or secrecy ; 

a niche. L. recessus, part, of recedo. See RECEDE. 
RECESSION, s. Act of receding. L. tecessio. See RECESS. 
RE'CIPE. s. A medical prescription ; a direction for apportioning the 

ingredients of any compound. L. imper. of recipio, See RECEIPT. 
RECIPIENT, s. The thing which receives. L. recipiens, part, of rc- 

cipio. See RECEIVE. 
RECIPROCAL, adj. Alternate; mutual. L. reciprocus, going, or 

flowing, backward and forward ; comp. of re, back, capio, to take, 

and pro, forward. 
RECITATIVE, or RECITATI'VO. s. Chaunt ; a kind of tuneful 

pronunciation, more musical than common speech, and less musical 

than song. See RECITE. 
RECI'TE. v. To rehearse ; to repeat ; to enumerate. L. recito ; from 

re, again, and cito, to call [into the memory.] 
RECLAIM', v. To recall ; to reform ; to correct ; to restore to a state 

of arahility. L. rcclamo : re, back, and clamo, to call. 
RECLAMATION, s. Act of reclaiming. See RECLAIM. 
RECLI'NE. v. To lean back ; to repose. L. reclino : re, back, and 

clino, to bend. 
RECLU'SE. adj. Secluded. F. rectus : L. re, back, and clausus, p. 

part, of claudo, to shut. 
RECOG'NISANCE. s. Acknowledgment ; bond of acknowledgment, 

with regard to a debt, or to a penalty that may accrue by non-ap- 
pearance in a court of law. F. reconnoissance, (formerly recogni- 
sance.) See RECOGNISE. 
RECOGNISE, v. To know again. L. re, again, and cognosco, to 

know. 
RECOGNITION, s. x4.ct of recognising ; renovation of knowledge. 

L. recognitio. See RECOGNISE. 
RECOIL', v. To rush back ; to retire rapidly from some opposing 

danger. F. reculer : re, back, and cul, the breech. 
RECOIN'. v. To coin over again. L. re, again, and coin. 
RECOLLECT', v. To collect again ; to restore to the memory. L. re, 

again, and collect. 
RECOMMEND', v. To commend, to another, that which is already 

commended to one's-self; to make acceptable. L. re, again, and 

commend. 
RECOMMIT', v. To commit again. L. re, again, and commit. 
RECOMPENSE, v. To requite; to give an equivalent. F. recom- 

penser : L. re, back, and compenso, to recompense : con, with, and 

pensus, p. part, of pendo, to pay. 
RECONCILE, v. To cause a renewal of affection or regard ; to make 

consistent. L. reconcilio : re, again, and concilio, to join. See CON- 
CILIATE. 
RECONNOITRE, v. To view ; to explore. F. comp. of re, again, 

and connoitre, to know. 
RECORD', v. To cause to be remembered; to register L. recordor: 

re, again, and cor, the heart, or mind. 

212 



REC— RED 

RECOUNT', v. To relate in detail ; to reckon again. F. recontre : 

re, again, and conter, to count, or reckon. 
RECOURSE', s. Return; access. F. recours : L. recursus : from re- 

curro : re, back, and curro, to run. 
RECREANT, adj. Cowardly ; crying out for mercy ; recanting 

through fear. F. recriant, part, of recrier : from re, back, or again, 

and crier, to cry out. 
RECREATE, v. To refresh after toil ; to amuse or divert. L. recreo : 

re, again, and creatus, p. part, of creo, to make. 
RECREMENT, s. Superfluous or useless parts; dross. L. recremen- 

tum : re, back, and cresco, to increase, or creo, to create ; meaning, 

the reverse of increment. See INCREMENT. 
RECRIMTNATE. v. To charge, with another crime, the person who 

has made the first charge. L. re, back, and criminate. 
RECRUIT', v. To repair by a new supply ; to restore in number a 

wasted army. F. recruter : re, again, and croitre, to increase : L. 

cresco, to grow. 
RECTANGLE, s. A figure which has one angle or more, of ninety 

degrees. L. rectus, straight, and angulus, an angle. 
RECTIFY, v. To make right ; to correct ; to refine or strengthen by 

repeated distillation. F. rectifier: L. rectus, straight, or just, and 

facio, to make. 
RECTILINEAR, adj. Consisting of right lines. L. rectus, straight, 

and linea, a line. 
RECTITUDE, s. Honesty ; freedom from moral curvity or obliquity. 

F. rectitude : L. rectum : from rectus, (p. part, of rego,) ruled or or- 
dered : meaning that which is ordered to be done. 
RECTOR, s. A governor ; a clergyman who receives higher tythes 

than a vicar. L. rector : rectus, p. part, of rego, to rule. 
RECUM'BENT. adj. Lying, or leaning. L. recumbens, part, of re- 

cumbo : re, back, and cumbo, to lie down. 
RECUR', v. To happen again ; to come back to the memory ; to have 

recourse to. L. recurro : re, again, or back, and curro, to run. 
RECUR' VO US. adj. Bent backwards. L. recurvus : re, back, and 

curvus, crooked, or bent. 
REDEEM', v. To purchase again ; to ransom ; to pay the penalty of; 

to rescue. L. redimo : re, back, or again, and emo, to buy. 
REDEMP'TION. s. Ransom ; release ; rescue. L. rcdemptio : re- 

demplus, p. part, of redimo. See REDEEM. 
RED'OLENT. adj. Sweet-smelling. L. redolens, part, of redoleo : 

from re, back, and oleo, to yield a smell. 
REDOUB'LE. v. To double again ; to renew with increased assiduity. 

L. re, again, and double. 
REDOUND', v. To be sent back by reaction ; to conduce; to proceed. 

L. redundo : re, back, and undo, to spread as waves, or abound: 

unda, a wave. 
REDRESS', v. To amend; to remedy; to relieve; to ease. F. re- 

dresser : L. re, again, and directus, p. part, of dirigo, to direct or 

range : di, separately, and rego, to rule or set right. 
REDU'CE. v. To bring to the former state ; to reform ; to bring to a 

state of diminution ; to degrade; to subdue. L. reduco : re, back,, 

and duco, to lead. 

213 



RED— REF 

REDUCTION, s. Act of reducing ; science of reducing. F. reduc- 
tion : L. reductio : from reductus, p. part, of reduco. See RE- 
DUCE. 
REDUN'DANT. adj. Superabundant; superfluous. L. redundans, p. 

part, of redundo, to overflow : comp. of re, back, and undo, to spread 

as waves, or abound : unda, a wave. See REDOUND. 
REDUPLICATE, v. To double. L. re, again, and duplicate. 
REFECTION, s. Refreshment. F. refection: L. refectio : refectus, 

p. part, ofreficio, to repair : re, again, and facio, to make. 
REFECTORY, s. Room of refreshment ; eating room. F. refectoire. 

See REFECTION. 
REFER', v. To direct one person to another, or to some document, 

for information or judgment; to direct the mind to, as the ultimate 

object or end. L. refero : re, back, and fero, to carry. 
REFINE, v. To make doubly fine ; to purify. L. re, again, and 

fine. 
REFLECT', v . To throw back ; to bend back ; to turn the thoughts 

upon the past ; to throw reproach or censure. L. rejlecto : re, back, 

and Jlecto, to bend. 
RE FLEX, adj. Directed backward. L. reflexus, p. part, of rejlecto. 

See REFLECT. 
REF'LUENT. adj. Flowing back. L. rejiuens, part, of rejluo : re, 

back, andj^M.0, to flow. 
RE'FLUX. s. Backward course. L. refluxus, part, of rejluo. See 

REFLUENT. 
REFORM', v. To remodel ; to free from impurity. L. re, again, and 

form. 
REFRACT', v. To break the natural course (of rays.) L. refractum, 

sup. of refringo : from re, back, and frango, to break. 
REFRACTORY, adj. Obstinate; contumacious; rebellious. L. re- 

fractarius : refractus, p. part, of refringo : comp. of re, back, and 

frango, to break. This word should be written Refractory. 
REFRAGABLE. adj. Capable of confutation. ~L.refragabilis : refra. 

gor, to resist, or deny : re, again, and frango, to break. 
REFRAIN', v. To hold back ; to restrain. F. refrener : L. re, back, 

and fraino, to curb : fr&num, a bridle. 
REFRANGIBLE, adj. Rays of light are refrangible, because they 

can be refracted or turned out of their way, in passing from one 

transparent body to another. L. re, back, and frango, to break. 
REFRIGERATE, v. To cool ; or rather to bring to a former state 

of coolness. L. refrigero : re, back, or again, and frigus, cold. 
REF'UGE. s. Shelter from danger or distress ; protection. F. refuge : 

L. refugium : re, back, and fugio, to flee. 
REFUGEE', s. One who seeks or has obtained a place of refuge. F. 

refugie. See REFUGE. 
REFUL'GENT. adj. Shining back ; glittering; bright; splendid. L. 

refulgens, p. part, of refulgeo : re, back, and fulgeo, to shine. 
REFUND', v. To repay; to restore. L. refundo : re, back, and j 'undo, 

to pour. 
REFU'SE. v. To reject ; to deny what is solicited or required ; not to 

comply with. F. refuser: L. refusum, sup. of refundo : re, back, 

and fundo, to pour. 

214 



REF— REL 

RE'FUSE. s. That which is rejected ; remainder after the rest is 
taken. See the verb. 

REFU'TE. v. To prove false or erroneous. L. refuto : re, back, and 
futo, to disprove. 

REGAL, adj. Royal. F. regale : L. regalis : regis, gen. of rex, a 
king : rego, to rule. 

REGALIA, s. Ensigns of the regal office ; things to which a king 
claims a right, independent of the state. L. See REGAL. 

REGARD', v. To feel an interest in ; to observe ; to consider ; to re- 
spect or esteem. F. regarder : re, back, and garder, to keep, or pre- 
serve. 

REGEN'ERATE. v. To reproduce ; to give a new nature. L. re, 
again, and generate : (regenero.) 

REGENT, s. A governor ; a vice-king. F. regent : L. regens, part, 
of rego, to rule. 

REG'ICIDE. s. Murderer of his king, — regicida : murder of his king, 
— regicidium : regis, gen. of rex, a king, and cado, to kill. 

REG'IMEN. s. Mode ; mode of diet and living, suitable to a particu- 
lar course of medicine or state of body. L. from rego, to rule. 

REGTMENT. s. A body of soldiers having a name or a number, and 
commanded by a colonel. Old F. regiment : L. rego, to rule, or 
govern. 

REGION, s. Tract of land ; tract of space ; part of the body. F. 
region : L. regio ; from rego, to rule ; meaning that portion which is 
subject to one ruler. 

REGTSTER. s. A record, or regular account; the officer who re- 
cords. F. registre : L. registrum : regestus, p. part, of regero : re, 
back, or again, and gero, to carry. 

REGNANT, adj. This term, when applied to a queen, must be dis- 
tinguished from the word regent. A queen-regnant reigns in her 
own right, as did Elizabeth ; a queen-regent is appointed to reign in 
the place of another. See REIGN. 

RE'GRESS. s. Passage back ; power of returning. L. regressus : from 
regredior : re, back, and gradior, to go : gradus, a step. 

REGULAR, adj. Agreeable to rule ; orderly ; relating to a certain 
species of geometrical figures. L. regularis : rego, to rule. 

REGUR'GITATE. v. To flow back with violence. L. re, back, and 
gurges, a whirlpool. 

REIGN, v. To enjoy or exercise sovereign authority ; to be predomi- 
nant. L. regno : from rego, to rule. 

REIMBURSE', v. To repay. L. re, back, in, into, and bursa, a purse. 

REINTEGRATE, v. To repair; to restore. L. re, again, and integro, 
to renew : integer, entire. 

REIT'ERATE. v. To repeat again and again. L. re, again, and 
iterate. 

REJECT', v. To throw back; to throw aside; to cast off; to refuse. 
L. rejeclurn, sup. ofrejicio: re, back, andjacio, to throw. 

REJUVENES'CENCE. s. State of growing young. L. re, again, and 
juvenescens, part, of juvenesco, to grow young. 

RELAPSE', v. To slip or fall back ; to return to any former state ; to 
return to a former opinion or profession. L. relapsus, part, of rela- 
tor : re, back, and labor, to slide. 

215 



REL— REM 

RELA'TE. v. To tell; to recite; to have reference. L. relatum, sup. 
of refero: re, back, or again, and fero, to bring 1 . 

RELAX', v. To slacken ; to make less tense ; to make less severe ; to 
ease. L. relaxo : re, back, or again, and laxo, to loosen. 

RELAY', s. Horses on a road to relieve others. F. relais : re, again, 
and laisser, to leave : L. laxo, to loosen. 

RELEASE', v. To set free ; to free from obligation or penalty ; to 
lease again. F. re, again, and laisser, to leave, let, or yield. L. laxo, 
to loosen. 

RELENT', v. To soften in temper ; to feel compassion. F. relenlir : 
L. re, again, and lenitus, p. part, of lenio, to soften. 

REL'EVANT. adj. Relieving; aiding. F. part, of relever : L. relevo ; 
com p. of re, again, and levo, to lift. 

REL'IC, or RELIQLE. s. That which remains; (in the plural, 
bodily remains ;) something retained in memory of a person, with a 
religious, or superstitious veneration. F. relique : L. reliqucB : re- 
liclus, (p. part, of relinquc,) left behind: re, back, and linquo, to 
leave. 

REL'ICT. s. A woman left desolate by the death of her husband ; a 
widow. L. relictus, p. part, of relinquo. See RELIC. 

RELIEVE', v. To ease from pain, sorrow, or oppression ; to ease from 
military or other duty ; to improve the appearance, by contrast. L. 
relevo : re, again, and levo, to lift. 

RELIG'ION. s, Reverence of a Supreme Being; united, especially in 
Christians, with a solemn and awful expectation of everlasting hap- 
piness, in a future state, as the reward of obedience to God, — or of 
torment, as the reward of sin : particular species of religious opin- 
ions. F. religion: h.religio: from religo, to bind fast: re, back, 
and ligo, to bind. 

RELIN'QUISH. v. To leave with reluctance ; to quit ; to desert. L. 
relinquo : re, back, and linquo, to leave. 

RELU'CENT. adj. Shining ; transparent. L. relucens, part, of relu- 
ceo : re, back, and luceo, to shine. 

RELLC'TANT. adj. Unwilling. L. reluctans : re, back, and luclo, 
to wrestle. 

RELUME, or RELU'MINE. v. To relight; to rekindle. L. re, again, 
and lumen, light. 

RELY', v. To lean or rest upon with confidence ; to put trust in, (with 
on.) F. re, back, and Her, to tie, or unite : L. ligo. 

REMAIN', v. To be left ; to be left out; to stay ; to continue. L. re. 
maneo ; comp. of re, back, and maneo, to stay, or wait. 

REMAINDER, s. That which remains; in law, the last chance of 
inheritance. See REMAIN. 

REMAND', v. To call back ; to send back. L. re, back, and mando, 
to bid, or send away. 

REMARK', v. To note ; to observe. F. remarquer : re, again, and 
marquer, to mark. 

REM'EDY. s. Means of cure; means of counteracting any evil; re- 
lief. L. remedium : G. medos, care, advice. 

REMIGRA'TION. s. Removal back again ; a migration to a former 
place. L. re, back, and inigro, to migrate. 

21G 



REM— REP 

REM INIS'CENCE. s. Recollection ; recovery of ideas. L. reminis- 

cens : re, again, and memini, to remember. 
REMISS', adj. Careless : slothful. L. remissus, p. part, of remitto. 

See REMIT. 
REMISSION, s. Act of remitting. L. remissio ; remissus, p. part. 

of remitto. See REMIT. 
REMIT', v. To send back ; to release from ; to pardon ; to defer; to 

refer ; to abate. L. remitto ; com p. of re, back, and mitto, to send. 
REM'NANT. s. Remainder. L. remanens, part, of remaneo. See 

REMAIN. 
REMON'STRATE. v. To show reasons, in strong terms, accompanied 

by expressions indicating a sense of injury. L. remonsiro : re, back, 

or again, and monstro, to show. 
REMORSE', s. Pain, from guilt; sorrow, arising from a sense of 

having injured. L. remorsus, part, of remordeo ; from re, b^ck, or 

again, <ind mordeo, to bite. 
REMOTE, adj. Far removed ; distant. L. remotus, p. part, of remo- 

veo : re, back, and moveo, to move. 
RE VIO'VE. v. To displace; to go to another place; to transplant; to 

place at a distance. L. re moveo : re, back, or again, and moveo, to 

move. 
REMU'NERATE. v. To repay ; to reward. L. remunero : re, again, 

and munero, to gift: munus, a gift, or service. 
RENASCENT, adj. Rising again into being. L. renascens, part, of 

renascor : re, again, and nascor, to be born. 
RENCONTRE, or RENCOUN'TER. s. Collision or opposition ; bat- 
tle. F. rencontre ; re, again, and encontre, a chance or adventure : 

€7?, into, and contre, against : L. in, and contra. 
RENDEZVOUS, s. Assembly; place appointed for assembling. F. 

rendezvous : rendez, imper. of rendre, to return, and vous, you. 
RENOUNCE', v. To disown ; to relinquish ; to quit upon oath. L. 

renuntio : re, again, and nuntio, to tell, or declare. 
REN'OVATE. v. To renew ; to refresh. L. renovo : re, again, and 

novo, to make new : from novns, new. 
RENOWN'. 5. Reverberation of a name ; great and established repu- 
tation. F. renommee : L. re, back, or again, and nomen, a name. 
RENT. s. Revenue; money paid, or service rendered, for any thing 

held of another. L. reditus ; from redeo, to return : re, back, and eo, 

to go. 
RENUNCIATION, s. Act of renouncing. L. renuntiatio. See RE- 
NOUNCE. 
REPAIR', v. To amend ; to replace, or restore. L. reparo : re, again, 

and paro, to make, or shape. 
REP' ARABLE, adj. Capable of being repaired. L. reparabilis. See 

REPAIR. 

REP ARA'TION. s. Act of repairing ; amends. L. reparatio. See 
REPAIR. * 

REPARTEE', s. Smart reply. F. repartie ; from repartir, to divide 

again, or reply : L. re, and partio. 
REPAST', s. A meal ; food ; refreshment. F. repas : L. re, again, 

and pastus, p. part, of pasco, to feed. 

t 217 



REP— REP 

REPEAL', v. To revoke ; to annul. F. rappeller : L. re, back, and 
appello, to call. 

REPEAT', v. To speak, use, or try, again ; to recite; to denote the 
time of day, (as a repeating watch.) L. repeto, to ask again : comp. 
of re, again, and peto, to beseech, ask, seek after, &c. 

REPEL', v. To drive back; to rebut. L. repello: re, back, and pello, 
to drive away. 

REPENT', v. To think on any thing past with sorrow ; to express 
sorrow for something past; to change the mind. F. repentir : Li. re, 
again, and penitus, within. 

REPERCUS'SION. s. Rebound. L. repercussio : repercussus, p. part, 
of repercutio : re, back, and percutio, to strike : per, through, and 
quatio, to shake. 

REPERTORY, s. A magazine ; a book in which information on cer- 
tain subjects is to be found. F. repertoire : L. repertorium ; from 
repertus, p. part, of reperio, to find, or discover. 

REPETITION, s. Act of repeating ; thing repeated. L. repetitio. 
See REPEAT. 

REPLENISH, v. To refill. L. re, again, and plenus, full. 

REPLE'TE. adj. Full, — meaning in a high degree. F. replete : L. 
repletus, p. part, ofrepleo: re, again, or in a high degree, and pleo, 
to fill. 

REPLE'TION. s. Act of rendering too full ; state of being too full. 
F. repletion. See REPLETE. 

REPLEVIN, or REPLEVY, v. To take back, or recover, on secu- 
rity given to the proper officer, any thing seized. Law F. replevir : 
re, again, and old F. plevir, or plegir, to give a pledge. 

REPLICATION, s. A formal reply ; answer to a plea in law. L. re- 
plicatio, an unfolding : from replicalus, p. part, of replico. See 
REPLY. 

REPLY', v. To answer; to make a return to an answer. L. replica, 
to unfold, or reply : re, back, or again, and plico, to fold. 

REPORT', v. To carry back the result of any inquiry, from a com- 
mittee, to the whole assembly deliberating ; to make public ; to ru- 
mour ; to make a loud noise. L. reporto : re, back, and porto, to 
carry. 

REPO'SE. s. Rest ; quiet ; sleep. F. repos : L. repositus, p. part, of 
repono : re, back, and pono, to place. 

REPREHEND', v. To reprove; to censure. L. reprehendo ; from re, 
again, and prchendo, to take, or lay hold on. 

REPREHEN'SIBLE. adj. Reprovable; censurable. F. reprehensible : 
L. reprehensus, p. part, of reprehendo. See REPREHEND. 

REPRESENT', v. To show as a likeness; to describe; to make 
known ; to personate. L. represento : re, again, and prcesens, pre- 
sent. See PRESENT. 

REPRESS', v. To crush ; to subdue. L. repressum, sup. of reprimo : 
re, back, and premo, to press. 

REPRIEVE', v. To respite. F. repris, part, of reprendre: re, back, 
or again, and prendre, to take. 

REPRISAL, s. Act of seizing, by way of retaliation ; thing seized. 
F. represaille. See REPRIEVE. 

218 



REP— RES 

REPROACH. 0. To eensure in opprobrious terms ; to upbraid. F. 
reprocher : re, again, and approcher, to come near. 

REPROBATE, v. To disallow, or reject; to censure; to think of 
with feelings of much disapprobation. L. reprobo ; comp. of re, back, 
and probo, to approve, or allow. 

REPROVE', v. To blame, chide, or reprehend. F. reprouver : L. re- 
probo : re, back, and probo, to approve, or allow. 

REP'TILE. s. A creeping animal. L. reptile ; from repo, to creep, 
or crawl. 

REPUB'LIC. s. A commonwealth; a state in which the happiness 
and advantage of all the people are considered and provided for; and 
in which the people govern through their representatives. L. respub- 
lica : res, an affair, or advantage, and publicus, public. 

REPUDIATE, v. To divorce; to put away. L. repudio : re, back, 
and G. pudarizo, to spurn. 

REPUGNANT, adj. Contrary ; inconsistent. F. repugnant : L. re- 
pugnans, part, of repugno : re, back, and pugno, to fight. 

REPULSE', s. Act of repelling ; condition of being repelled, or de- 
feated. F. repulse : L. repulsus, p. part, afrepello. See REPEL. 

REP'UTABLE. adj. Honourable; respectable. See REPUTE. 

REPU'TE. v. To esteem ; to account; to think. L. reputo : re, again, 
and puto, to think, or consider. 

REQUEST', s. Petition; entreaty; state of being desired. F. re- 
quete : L. requisitus, p. part, of requiro. See REQUIRE. 

REQUIEM, s. A hymn, in which rest is implored for the dead. L. 
comp. of re, again, and quies, rest. 

REQUI'RE. v. To demand ; to ask as a right; to need. L. requiro : 
re, back, and quaro, to ask, or seek. 

REQUISITE, adj. Required ; necessary. L. requisitus, p. part, of 
requiro. See REQUIRE. 

REQUITE, v. To repay; to retaliate. F. requiter : re, again, and 
quitter, to quit, or part with. 

RESCIND', v. To cut off; to abrogate ; to repeal. L. rescindo : re, 
again, and scindo, to cut. 

RESCIS'SION. s. Act of rescinding. F. rescission; from L. rescissus, 
p. part, of rescindo. See RESCIND. 

RESCRI'BE. v. To write back ; to write over again. L. rescribo : re, 
back, or again, and scribo, to write. 

RE'SCRIPT. s. Edict, generally of a Roman emperor, or a pope. 
When any doubt arose upon the construction of the Roman laws, 
the usage was, to state the case to the emperor, in writing, and take 
his opinion upon it. His answers were called rescripts ; which had, 
in succeeding cases, the force of perpetual laws. L. rescriptum : re- 
scriptus, p. part, of rescribo. See RESCRIBE. 

RESCUE, v. To set free from any violence, danger, or confinement. 
F. re, b.ick, or again, and escheoir, to avoid, or shun : hence, the ob- 
solete word, eschev). 

RESEM'BLE. v. To be similar. F.resembler : L. re, back, (meaning 
reflection,) and similis, like. 

RESENT, v. To consider as an injury or affront, and act in conform- 
ity with that sentiment. F. resentir : L. re, again, and sentio, to be 
sensible of, or resent. 

219 



RES— RES 

RESERVE', v. To keep in store ; to retain ; to hold. L. feservo : 
comp. of re, back, and servo, to keep. 

RESETTLE, v. To settle again. L. re, again, and settle. 

RESIDE, v. To dwell; to be present. L. resideo, to sit down: re, 
back, and sedeo, to sit, or stay. 

RESIDENT, adj. Redding, or having abode. L. residens, p. part. 
ofresideo. See RESIDE. 

RESIDUARY, adj. A residuary legatee is a person to whom the re- 
mainder of an estate is willed, — all that is left after paying the lega- 
cies particularly specified. See RESIDUE. 

RESIDUE, s. Remainder. F. residu : L. residuum. See RESIDE. 

RESID UUM. s. That which subsides, or remains after the more valu- 
able part has been drawn off. L. from resideo, to sit down : re, back, 
and sedeo, to sit, or stay. 

RESIGN', v. To relinquish a claim or possession ; to submit. L. re- 
signo : re, back, and signo, to mark, declare, or signify. 

RESONANT, adj. Resounding. L. resonans. See RESOUND. 

RESORT, v. To have recourse ; to visit frequently. F. ressortir : re t 
again, and sortir, to go out. 

RESOUND', v. To echo ; to sound back ; to celebrate by sound. L. 
resono : re, back, and sono, to sound. 

RESPECT, s. Regard; attention; reverence; honour; feeling of 
compassion. F. respect: L. respectus, p. part, of respicio : re, back, 
or ajjain, and specio, to see, or behold. 

RESPECTIVE, adj. Particular; individual; viewed with regard to 
each. See RESPECT. 

RESPIRE, v. To breathe; to rest. L. respiro : re, again, and spiro, 
to breathe. 

RESPITE, s. Repose; pause; reprieve. F. respit, or repit : L. respi- 
ratus, p. part, of respiro : re, again, and spiro, to breathe. 

RESPLENDENT, adj. Shining ; bright; illustrious. L. resplendens, 
part, of resplendeo ; comp. of re, back, and splendeo, to shine. 

RESPOND', v. To answer; to correspond; to suit. L. respondeo, to 
answer : re, and spondeo. 

RESPONDEN TIA. s. Security for money lent on a cargo of mer- 
chandise. For a full definition of this term, see Black. Com. 11 vol. 
458. L. respondentia, pi. of respondens, a part, of respondeo. See 
RESPOND. 

RESPONSE', s. Answer ; answer made by the congregation, speaking 
alternately with the minister in public worship. L. responsum. See 
RESPOND. 

RESPONSIBLE, adj. Answerable; accountable; capable of answer- 
ing to, or discharging an obligation. L. responsus, suitableness. 
See RESPOND. 

REST. s. Repose; state of being undisturbed; absence of motion; 
prop, or support, — meaning that on which any thing reposes, or by 
wijich motion is prevented ; remainder, or that which is left behind, 
or undisturbed. L. restitus, part, ofresto : re, back, and sto, to stand. 

RESTAURA'TiON. s. Act of recovering to the furmer state. L. re. 
stauro, to restore. 

RES TIFF, or RESTIVE, adj. Unwilling to go forward; stubborn. 
F. restif. Sec REST. 

220 



RES-RET 

RESTRAIN', v. To hold back; to repress. F. restreindre: L. re- 
stringo : re, back, and stringo, to bind. 

RESTRICT', v. To limit; to confine. L. restrictum, sup. of restringo. 
See RESTRAIN'. 

RESULT', v. The primary signification of this word is to leap back; 
but this meaning is scarcely used now, even by the poets. The 
proper sense of result, at the present day, is, to follow as a conse- 
quence, or as the effect of concurring causes. L. resulto : resultum, 
sup. ofresilio: re, back, and salio, to leap. 

RESU'ME. v. To take back; to take again. L. resumo ; comp. of re, 
back, or again, and sumo, to take. 

RESUMP'TION. s. Act of resuming. L. resumptus, p. part, of re- 
sumo. See RESUME. 

RESURRECTION, s. Return from the grave ; revival. F. resurrec- 
tion : L. resurrectum, sup. of resurgo : re, again, and surgo, to arise. 

RESUSCITATE, v. To rouse ; to restore animation, after being sus- 
pended by drowning, &c. L. resuscito: re, again, and suscito, to 
awake : sub, under, and cito, to call. 

RETAIL', v. To sell, in small quantities, something purchased from 
another ; to relate, amongst one's neighbours, that which one has 
heard from another. F. retailler : re, again, and tailler, to cut. 

RETAIN', v. To keep; to detain. L. retineo ; from re, back, and 
teneo, to hold. 

RETALIATE, v. To return like for like. L. re, back, and talio, like 
for like. 

RETARD', v. To delay; to hinder. L. retardo: re, back, and tarda, 
to delay : tardus, slow. 

RETENTION, s. Act of retaining. L. retentio : retentus, p. part, of 
retineo. See RETAIN. 

RETEN'TIVE. adj. Having the power of retaining ; recollective. F. 
retentif. See RETENTION. 

RETICLE, or RETICULE, s. A small bag, made of net-work, or 
some other material, (erroneously called a ridicule.) L. reticulum, 
a little net; dim. of rete, a net. 

RETICULATED, adj. Made of net- work, or in the form of the 
meshes of a net. L. reticulatus ; from rete, a net. 

RET'INUE. s. A number of persons retained by, and attending on, a 
superior ; a train. F. retenue, part, of retenir, to retain. See RE- 
TAIN. 

RETIRE, v. To withdraw, or retreat; to go to a place of privacy. 
F. reiirer : re, back, and tirer, to draw. 

RETORT, s. A censure or incivility returned ; a witty or satirical 
reply : a glass vessel, with a bent neck, used by chemists in distilling. 
F. retorte : L. retorlus, p. part, of retorqueo : re, back, and torqueo, 
to writhe, bend, or hurl. 

RETRACT', v. To recall ; to recant, or change the mind. L. re- 
tractum, sup. ofretraho: re, back, and traho, to draw. 

RETREAT, s. Act of going back, or retiring; place of retirement or 
privacy. F. retraite : L. retractus, p. part, ofretraho: re, back, and 
trulio, to draw. 

RETRENCH', v. To pare off; to lessen. F. retrancher : L. re, again, 
and trunco, to lop off, 

t* 221 



RET— REV 

RETRIBUTION, s. Repayment ; atonement. F. retribution : L. re- 

tributus, p. part, of retribuo : re, back, and tribuo, to give, or bestow, 

RETRIEVE', v. To recover; to restore; to repair; to regain. F. 
retrouver ; comp. of re, again, and trouver, to find. 

RETROACTIVE, adj. Having a backward action ; acting upon the 
past. L, retro, backward, and ACTIVE. 

RETROCE'DE. v. To go back ; to reassign. L. retrocedo: retro, back- 
ward, and redo, to depart, or yield. 

RETROCESSION, s. Act of retroceding. L. retrocessum, sup. of 
retrocedo. See RETROCEDE. 

RET'ROGRADE. v. To go backward ; to decline from a state of im- 
provement. L. retrogradior : retro, backward, and gradior, to go, 
or walk : gradus, a step. 

RETROGRESSION, s. Act of retrograding. L. retrogressus, part. 
or retrogradior. See RETROGRADE. 

RETROPUL'SIVE. s. Driving back ; repelling. L. retro, back, and 
pulsus, part, of pello, to drive. 

RET ROSPECT. s. Backward view ; view of the past. L. retro, back- 
ward, and spectum, sup. of specio, to see, or view. 

RETROVERT'. v. To turn back. L. retro, backwards, and verto, to 
turn. 

RETURN', v. To turn back ; to come, cr go back ; to give back ; to 
reply. L. re, again, and turn. (F. retourner.) 

REUNION, s. Return to a state of junction, cohesion, or concord. 
L. re, again, and union. 

REVEAL', v. To uncover ; to disclose ; to inform from Heaven. L. 
revelo ; from re, back, and velum, a veil, or curtain. 

REVELA'TION. s. Act of revealing; knowledge revealed. See RE- 
VEAL. 

REVENUE, s. Income ; annual return of profits, or amount of na- 
tional imposts or rents. F. revenu : L. re, back, and venio, to come. 

REVER'BERATE. v. To beat back; to rebound; (used in relation 
to sound, or heat.) L. reverbero : re, back, and verbero, to whip, or 
beat: verber, a. whip. 

REVERBERA'TORY. s. An oven or furnace in which the flame is 
confined by a dome, which occasions it to rebound before it passes 
into the chimney. See REVERBERATE. 

REVE'RE. v. To reverence; to honour; to venerate. L. revereor: 
re, meaning again, or in a great degree, and vereor, to reverence, or 
fear. 

REVERENCE, s. Veneration; respect; act of obeisance : — title of a 
clergvman. F. reverence: L. reverentia : reverens, part, of revereor. 
See ^REVERE. 

REVEREND, adj. Venerable; deserving reverence; also, an epithet 
applied to a clergyman. F. reverend: L. reverendus, (part, of reve- 
reor,) to be revered. See REVERE. 

REVERSE', s. Change; vicissitude; misfortune; an opposite. L. 
reversus, p. part, ofreverto. See REVERT. 

REVER'SION. s. Act of reverting ; contingent interest in the return 
of land to the grantor or his heirs. F. reversion : L. reversio. See 
REVERSE. 

REVERT', v. To return. L. reverto : re, back, and verto, to turn. 

£22 



REV-RIG 

REVEST', v. To vest again ; to reinvest. L. revestio : re, again, and 
vestio, to clothe. 

REVILE, v. To vilify; to treat with contumely. L. re, backhand 
vilis, vile. 

REVI'SE. v. To review ; to re-examine. L. revisum, sup. of revideo ; 
com p. of re, again, and video, to see. 

REVI' VE. v. To return to life ; to reanimate ; to renew. L. revivo : 
re, again, and vivo, to live. 

REVOCATION, s. Act of revoking ; state of being revoked ; repeal, 
or reversal. L. revocatio : revocatus, part, of revoco. See RE- 
VOKE. 

REVOKE, v. To recall, or repeal ; to reverse. L. revoco : re, back, 
and voco, to call. 

REVOLT', v. To desert ; to refuse obedience ; to turn away in dis- 
gust. F. revolter : L. revolutus, p. part, of revolvo : re, back, and 
volvo, to roll. 

REVOLUTION, s. Course of any thing that returns to the point at 
which it began to move; rotation ; change of government. F. revo- 
lution : L. revolutus, p. part, of revolvo. See REVOLVE. 

REVOLVE', v. To roll in a circle; to roll around; to consider. L. 
revolvo ; from re, back, or again, and volvo, to roll. 

RHABDOL'OGY. s. Gomputation by Napier's rods. G. rhabdos, a 
rod, and logos, a word. 

RHAP'SODY. s. A kind of poem, written without necessary con- 
nexion. G. rhapsodia : rhapto, to weave, or make, and ode, a song. 

RHET'ORIG. s. The art of speaking with propriety and elegance ; 
oratory. G. rhetorike ; rhetor, an orator : from rheo, (dico) to speak. 

RHEUM, s. A thin watery matter, oozing through the glands. G. 
rheuma ; from rheo, (Jluo) to flow. 

RHEU'MATISM. s. A painful distemper, supposed to proceed from 
acrid humours, or rheum. G. rheumatismos. See RHEUM. 

RHOMB, s. A term in geometry. G. rhombos ; from rhembo, to turn 
or whirl round. 

RHOM'BOID. s. A figure having some resemblance to a rhomb. G. 
rhombos, a rhomb, and eidos, form. 

RHYME, s. Harmonical succession of sounds ; generally applied to 
that species of poetry, in which the last sound of one line corresponds 
with the last sound or syllable of another : but, the etymology of 
the word includes even what is called blank verse. See RHYTH- 
MUS. 

RHYTH'MTCAL. adj. Harmonical; having one sound proportioned 
to another. See RHYTHMUS. 

RHYTH'MUS. s. Metre ; harmonical succession of sounds, either in 
prose or verse. L. rhythmus : G. rhuthmos, a rule. 

RIDTCULE. s. Wit, or jeering, of that species which excites disre- 
spectful laughter. F. ridicule : L. ridiculum ; from rideo, to laugh. 

RIDICULOUS, adj. Promoting ridicule ; worthy of contemptuous 
laughter. L. ridiculus. See RIDICULE. 

RIGHT, adj. According to rule; straight; proper; just; true: — the 
right hand is so called, because it is that which is used according to 
rule or usual custom. Derived, through the Saxon, from the L. rectus, 
p. part, ofrego, to rule. 

223 



RIG-RUI 

RIGTD. adj. Stiff; inflexible ; severe ; extremely strict. F. rigide : 
L. rigidus ; from rigeo, to be very cold, or frozen. 

RIGOROUS, adj. Extremely cold ; rigid ; severe ; extremely strict. 
See RIGOUR. 

RIGOUR, or RIG'OR. s. Severe coldness; severity; extreme strict- 
ness. L. rigor ; rigeo, to be very cold, or frozen. 

RISIBLE, adj. Having the faculty or power of laughing ; exciting 
laughter. F. risible : L. risibilis : rideo, to laugh. 

RITE. s. Solemn act of religion ; external observance. L. ritus, a 
rite, or religious ceremony. 

RITUAL. s. A book in which are written the rites and observances 
of religion. L. ritualis. See RITE. 

ROBUST', adj. Strong : sinewy ; vigorous. L. robustus, made of 
oak ; robur, oak, of the hardest kind. 

RODOMONTA'DE. s. A vain, noisy, bluster or boast; a rant. F. 
rodomontade ; from a boasting, boisterous hero, of the Italian poet, 
Ariosto, called Rodomonte. 

ROGA'TION. s. Supplication ; church-litany, L. rogatio ; from rogo, 
to entreat. 

ROS'TRUM. s. The scaffold from which the Roman orators ha- 
rangued. When Camillus overcame Antium, the capital of the 
Volsci, he carried the prows or beaks of their ships to Rome, and 
placed them in the Forum, on a tribunal, — thence called Rostrum, 
signifying the beak of a ship. 

RO'TARY. adj. Moving around as a wheel. L. rota, a wheel. 

ROTA TION. s. The act of turning round like a wheel ; succession, 
so that when the last has completed a duty, the first will recom- 
mence, and each will continue to repeat in his turn. L. rotatio ; 
from rotatus, p. part, of roto, to turn round like a wheel : rota, a 
wheel. 

ROTUNDA, or ROTUN'DO. s. A circular building, such as the Pan- 
theon of Rome. L. rotundus, round : rota, a wheel. 

ROTUNDITY, s. Roundness. L. rotunditas ; rotundus, round; rota, 
a wheel. 

ROUGE, s. Red paint, for the face. F. rouge, red. 

ROUND, adj. Circular ; spherical ; sounding smoothly ; not precisely 
expressed, but denoted, through convenience, chiefly by round num- 
bers, or figures ; — as, 5000, instead of 5123. F. rond : L. rotundus ; 
from rota, a wheel. 

ROUTE, s. Way; road; order, and direction for marching. F. route, 

■ a way. 

ROUTINE, s. Established mode, or practice. F. See ROUTE. 

ROY'AL. adj. Kingly ; regal. F. from roi, (formerly roy,) a king. 

RU'BRIC. s. Directions, printed in books of law, and in prayer-books; 
originally distinguished by being in red ink. L. rubrica ; ruber, red. 

RU'EY. s. A precious stone, of a red colour. L. ruber, red. 

RUDE. adj. Untaught; in a state of nature ; barbarous; of coarse 
manners; uncivil; unpolished; boisterous. L. rudis, new, or fresh. 

RUDIMENTS, s. First principles ; elements of science ; first parts 
of education. L. rudimentum, the first rules : rudis, new, or fresh. 

RU'IN. s. Fall or destruction ; remains of something demolished. F. 
ruine ; L. ruina, from ruo, to fall. 

224 



RUL— SAL 

RULE. s. Government ; sway ; precept ; an instrument by which lines 

are drawn. L. regula ; from rego, to govern. 
RU' MI NATE. v. To chew the cud ; to consider again and again. L. 

rumino, to chew over again. 
RUMOUR, s. Popular report. L. rumor ; ruo, to rush. 
RUP'TURE. s. Act of breaking or bursting; state of being broken or 

burst ; breach of peace ; open hostility. F. rupture : L. ruptus, p. 

part, of rumpo, to break or burst. 
RURAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the country. F. rural : L. 

ruralis ; from ruris, gen. of rus, the country. 
RUSE DE GUERRE. A trick of war; a stratagem. F. ruse, a 

trick, de, of, guerre, war. 
RUS'TIC. adj. Rural ; clownish. L. rusticus ; from rus, the country. 
RUS'TICATE. v. To reside in the country ; to acquire the manners 

of the country. L. rusticor. See RUSTIC. 

S. 

SACCHARINE, adj. Having the qualities of sugar. L. saccharum, 
sugar. 

SACERDO'TAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to the priesthood. L. 
sacerdotalis ; sac erdos, a priest; comp. of sacer, sacred, and dos, a 
portion. 

SACRAMENT, s. A religious ceremony ; the eucharist. L. sacra- 
mentvm; sacer, sacred. 

SA'CRED. adj. Holy ; devoted to religious uses ; not to be violated ; 
consecrated. L. sacer, sacred. 

SACRIFICE, v. To offer to Heaven ; to kill, at the altar, as an atone- 
ment or propitiation ; to destroy or give up, for the sake of some- 
thing else, or through rashness or misconduct. L. sacrifico ; sacer, 
sacred, and facto, to make. 

SACRILEGE, s. The crime of appropriating to one's-self, what is 
devoted to religion ; or of violating or profaning sacred things. L. 
sacrilegium ; comp. of sacer, holy, and lego, to gather, or steal. 

SACRISTY, s. An apartment, in which are deposited the consecrated 
vessels or moveables of a church. F. sacristie : L. sacris, gen. of 
sacer, sacred. 

SAFE. adj. Free from danger; free from hurt; conferring security : — 
s. a place for meat, &c. F. sauf: L. salvus, safe. 

SAGA'CIOUS. adj. When applied to mere animals, denotes quick of 
scent, or having a more extended mental faculty than is usually 
possessed by brutes, — Men are sagacious when they are quick of 
thought, or acute in discovering. L. sagax, quick-scented. 

SAGE. s. A philosopher ; a man of gravity and wisdom. F. See 
SAGACIOUS. 

SAGIT TA'RIUS. s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. Sagit- 
tarius, an archer : sagitta, an arrow. 

SAINT, s. A person revered for piety and virtue. F. saint: L. sanc- 
tus, holy, or pious : from the p. part, of sancio, to make sacred. 

SALAMMO'NIAC. s. A species of salt, formerly dug from the sands 
in some parts of Africa ; an artificial salt, named muriate of ammo- 
nia. L. sal, salt, and G. aminos, sand. 

225 



SAL— SAN 

SAL'ARY. s. Stated hire ; annual or stated payment. F. salaire : L. 
solarium ; from sal, salt ; because the Roman soldiers were origi- 
nally paid in salt. — This is the derivation given of salary, by both 
ancient and modern writers ; but the author of this work is inclined 
to question its correctness. 
SALT ANT. adj. In heraldry, denotes in a leaping posture. F. See 

SALIENT. 
SAL'IENT. adj. Leaping ; moving by leaps ; — in fortification, pro- 
jecting. L. saliens, part, of salio, to leap. 
SALIFIABLE, adj. Capable of combining with acids, and forming 

salts. L. sal, salt, and Jio, to become. 
SALI'NE. adj. Partaking of the properties of salt. L. salinus ; from 

sal, salt. 
SALIVA, s. That which flows from the mouth ; juice separated by 

the salival glands. L. saliva, spittle. 
SALTVATE. v. To purge by the salival glands. L. salivo. See 

SALIVA. 
SAL'LY. s. Sortie ; rapid egress, as from a place besieged ; volatile or 

sprightly exertion of wit. F. saille : L. salio, to leap. 
SALUBRIOUS, adj. Wholesome; promoting health. L. salubris ; 

salus, health. 
SALUTARY, adj. Contributing to safety ; advantageous. L. salutaris ; 

from salutis, gen. of salus, health, or safety. 
SALU'TE. v. To greet; to hail; to honour in a military way, by a 

discharge of guns, a present' of arms, &c. L. saluto ; salus, health. 
SALUTIFEROUS. adj. Bringing health or safety. L. salulifer : sa- 
lutis, gen. of salus, health, and fero, to bring. 
SAL'VABLE. adj. Possible to be saved. L. salvo, to save. 
SAL'VAGE. s. Recompense for saving goods from a wreck, or a ship 

from being lost, when found at sea without any living person on 

board. F. from the L. salvo, to save. 
SALVATION, s. Preservation; saving of the soul from eternal 

misery. L. salvo, to save. 
SALVE, s. A remedy ; a remedial plaster. L. salvo, to save. 
SAL'VO. s. An exception; a reservation. L. abl. of salvus, safe; that 

is, saved, or excepted. 
SANATIVE, adj. Curing ; healing. L. sano, to heal. 
SANCTIFY, v. To make holy. F. sanctifier : L. sanctifico ; sanctus^ 

holy, and facio, to make. 
SANCTIMONY, s. Holiness ; appearance of holiness. L. sanctimonia : 

sancfus, holy. See SAINT. 
SANCTION, s. Solemn confirmation; countenance. L. sanctio ; 

sanctus, p. part, of sancio, to make sacred. 
SANCTITY, s. Holiness ; purity. L. sanctitas. See SAINT. 
SANCTOL'OGY. s. A history of saints. L. sanctus, holy, and G. 

logos, a word. 
SANCTUARY, s. A sacred or holy place ; properly the most retired 

and awful part of a temple ; sacred asylum. L. sanctuarium ; sanc- 
tus, p. part, of sancio, to make sacred. 
SANCTUM SANCTORUM. The Holy of Holies, or most holy 

place ; that part of a temple which is prohibited to be entered, or 

looked into. L. 

226 



SAN— SAT 

SANE. adj. Healthy ; of sound mind. L. sanus, whole, or sound. 

SANG FROID'. s. Coolness ; indifference ; apathy. F. sang, blood, 
and j void, co'd. 

SANGUINARY, adj. Bloody; cruel; murderous. L. sanguinarius : 
sanguinis, gen. of sanguis, blood. 

SAN'GUINE. adj. Red; having - the colour of blood; abounding with 
blood; warm; ardent; confident. L. sanguineus ; from sanguinis, 
gen. of sanguis, blood. 

SANITARY, adj. Conducive to health. See SANITY. 

SANTTY. s. Soundness of mind; opposed to insanity. L. sanitas, 
See SANE. 

SANS. prep. Without. F. 

SANSCULOT'TES. s. A reproachful name given to one of the parties 
of France, in the period which succeeded the revolution of 1789. F. 
sans, without, culotte, breeches. 

SAP'IENT. adj. Wise. L. sapiens, part, of sapio, to be wise. 

SAPONA'CEOUS. adj. Soapy ; having the qualities of soap. L. sa- 
ponis, gen. of sapo, soap. 

SARCASM, s. Bitter and personal satire ; a taunt. F. sarcasme : L. 
sarcasmus : G. sarkasmos ; from sarkazo, to pluck or pull away the 
flesh : sarx, flesh. 

SARCOPH'AGUS. s. Originally signified a stone, in which dead bo- 
dies, when inclosed, consumed and wasted away, bones and all, ex- 
cept the teeth, in about forty days. It now signifies a sepulchre, of 
the usual kind. L. sarcophagus : G. sarx, flesh, and phago, to eat. 

SARCOTTC. adj. Incarnative ; having the quality of filling up sores 
with new flesh. G. sarx, flesh. 

SARDONTC. adj. This word, when applied to grinning or laughter, 
means forced or affected. — An herb grows in Sardinia, of so bitter 
a taste, as to cause convulsive laughter, according to the ancients ; 
hence, the L. expression, Sardonicus risus. 

Into ego Sardois videar tibi amarior herbis. 

Virg. Buc. Eel. vii. Line 41. 

SATED, part. adj. Satiated ; glutted. See SATIATE. 

SAT'ELLITE. s. An attendant, (in an evil sense;) a small planet re- 
volving around a larger. L. salelles, a species of soldiers, or a par- 
tisan. 

SATIATE, v. To satisfy ; to glut, or fill beyond natural desire. L. 
satio : G. satto, to burthen. 

SATFETY. s. Fulness, beyond desire or pleasure ; more than enough. 
L. satietas. See SATIATE. 

SATTRE. s. A poem, (or prosaic discourse,) in which wickedness or 
folly is censured. L. satyra, or satira: G. saturos, a sylvan god. 
This kind of poem is of very ancient date; and (according to Horace) 
was introduced, into the Greek tragedies, by way of interlude, to re- 
lieve the audience from the force of those strokes which were thought 
too'deep and affecting. In these satirical interludes, the scene was 
laid in the country, and the persons were rural deities, satyrs, pea- 
sants, &c. 

SATISFACTION, s. Act of fully satisfying, or state of being satis- 
fied ; release from suspense ; recompense for an injury. L. satisfactio. 
See SATISFY. 

227 



SAT— SCH 

SAT'ISFY. v. To content; to recompense; to appease by punish- 
ment ; to free from doubt, perplexity, or suspense ; to convince. L. 
satisfacio ; comp. of satis, enough, and facio, to make. 

SATURATE, v. To impregnate, until no more can be received or 
imbibed. L. saturo ; from satur, full-fed. 

SATUR'NIAN. adj. Happy ; golden ; used by the poets in relation to 
times of felicity, such as are fabulously related to have been in the 
days of Saturn, when he is said to have reigned in Italy. 

SATUR'NINE. adj. Gloomy ; grave ; of severe temper ; supposed to 
be born under the dominion of the planet Saturn. L. saturninus. 

SAVAGE, adj. Wild ; uncultivated ; uncivilized ; barbarous ; cruel. 

F. sauvage : L. sylva, a wood. 

SAVE. v. To preserve from danger or destruction ; to reserve or lay 
by ; to except. F. sauver : L. salvo, to preserve. 

SAVE. prep. Except; not including. Imperative of the verb save. 

SCALA DE. s. Entry of a fortified place by means of ladders. F. from 
the L. scala, a ladder. 

SCALE, v. To enter by means of a ladder ; to climb as by a ladder. 
L. scala, a ladder. 

SCALE, s. Regular gradation ; regular series, rising like a ladder ; a 
figure subdivided by lines like the Bteps of a ladder, used in mea- 
suring proportions ; series of harmonic proportions, &.c. L. scala, a 
ladder. 

SCANDAL, s. Offence given by the faults of others; reproachful as- 
persion; infamy. L. scandalum : G.skandalon: skazo, to halt, or 
be maimed. 

SCENE, s. Originally signified that part in front of a theatre, assigned 
for the decorations. It now denotes a painted representation, on 
boards or canvas ; also a division of the play, &c. L. scena : G. skene, 
a small wooden house or tent. See Rollin's An. His. 1 vol. 89. 

SCENT, v. To smell ; to perceive by the nose; to perfume. F. scentir ; 
from the L. sentio, to perceive. 

SCEP'TIC. s. One who assents or believes only after seeing unques- 
tionable evidence. F. sceptique: G. skeptikos ; from skeptomai, to 
look around. 

SCEP'TRE. s. A kind of royal staff, or batoon, now used only on 
solemn occasions. L. sceptrum : G. skeplron ; from skepto, to lean 
upon. 

SCHED'ULE. s. A piece of paper or parchment, containing an inven- 
tory or list of goods, &c, and in general annexed to a larger writing. 
L. schedula: G. schede, a sheet or leaf of paper; from schizo, 
to cut. 

SCHEME, s. Plan; project; contrivance. G. schema, a form, or 
figure. 

SCHISM, s. Separation, or division, arising from discordant opinions. 

G. schisma ; from schizo, to split. 

SCHISMATIC, s. One who has separated in consequence of holding 

a different opinion. See SCHISM. 
SCHOLAR, s. Member of a school; one who learns of a master; a 

disciple; a man of letters. See SCHOOL. 
SCHO'LIUM. s. A note ; an explanatory observation : pi. scholia. L. 

from the G. scholion. See SCHOOL. 



SCH— SCR 

SCHOOL, s. A place of discipline and instruction ; system of doc. 

trine, peculiar to any teacher. L. schola : G. schole, retirement, 

leisure. 
SCIA'TER. s. An instrument used in designing. G. skia, a shadow. 
SCI'ENCE. s. Knowledge ; any species of knowledge. Science is 

theoretical knowledge ; Art is practical knowledge. Botany is a 

science ; Gardening, an art. F. science : L. scientia : sciens, part. 

of scio, to know. 
SCIENTIFIC, or SCIENTIFICAL. adj. Producing demonstrative 

or certain knowledge; philosophical; not mechanical. F. scienti- 
Jique: L. scientia, knowledge, and facio, to make. See SCIENCE. 
SCIN'TILLA. s. A spark ; an iota. L. scintilla, a spark. 
SCIN'TILLATE. v. To emit sparks. L. scintillo : scintilla, a spark : 

scindo, to break off, or divide. 
SCIOLIST, adj. One who knows many things superficially. L. scio, 

to know. 
SCIOP'TIC. adj. Pertaining to an instrument used in the camera ob- 

scura. G. skia, a shadow, optomai, to see. 
SCIRE FA' CIAS. The name given to a judicial writ, ordering the 

defendant to show cause, why the execution should not be made out 

of a judgment which has passed, &c. L. facias, you must cause, 

scire, to know : scio, a.nd facio. 
SCIS'SORS. s. A sort of instrument for cutting. L. scissus, p. part. 

of scindo, to cut. 
SCLEROTTC. adj. Hard ; an epithet applied to one of the coats of 

the eye. F. sclerotique : G. skelos, hard. 
SCOPE, s. Aim ; intention ; room, &c. L. scopus : G. skeptomai, to 

look. 
SCO'RIA. s. Dross; recrement. L. scoria : G. skoria : skor, dung. 
SCOR'PIO. s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. scorpio, a 

scorpion. 
SCOT'OMY. s. A dizziness of the head, which causes dimness of 

sight. G. skotoma : skoto-o, to darken. 
SCOURGE, s. A whip; an instrument of punishment ; a punishment; 

one that harasses, or destroys. F. escourgee : L. corrigia ; from 

corrigo, to correct : con, with, and rego, to rule. 
SCRIBBLE, v. To write without use or elegance ; to write carelessly 

or ill. L. scribillo : scribo, to write. 
SCRIBE, s. A writer. This term was much used before the invention 

of printing. L. scriba: scribo, to write. 
SCRIPTURE, s. Sacred writing; (plural,) the Bible. L. scriptura : 

scribo, to write. 
SCRIVENER, s. One who writes contracts; one who writes under 

the superintendence of an attorney. L. scribo, to write. 
SCRU'PLE. s. Doubt; difficulty of determination, generally respecting 

minute things ; twenty grains ; proverbially, any small quantity. 

L. scrvpulus ; from scrutor, to search diligently, or explore. 
SCRU'TABLE. adj. Discoverable by scrutiny. See SCRUTINY. 
SCRU'TINY. s. Minute search, or examination. L. scrutinium: 

scrutor, to search diligently, or explore : from scruta, lumber ; mean- 
ing to search amongst rubbish. 

v 229 



SCR— SEC 

SCRU'TOIRE. s. A cabinet for writings. F. ecritoire, (formerly es. 

criioire :) ecrire, to write. 
SCULPTOR, s. A carver; one who cuts wood or stone into images. 

L. sculptor : sculptus, p. part, of sculpo, to carve, or grave. 
SCURRILOUS, adj. Grossly opprobrious ; vile ; low. L. scurrilis : 

scurra, a scoffer, or buffoon. 
SEBACIC. adj. Sebacic acid is procured from animal fat. L. seba- 

ceus : sebum, tallow. 
SEBATES. s. Salts formed by the sebacic acid, when combined with 

alkalies, earths, and metallic oxides. See SEBACIC. 
SE'CANT. s. A right line drawn from the centre of a circle, meeting 

and cutting another line, without it, called the tangent. L. secans, 

part, of seco, to cut. 
SECE'DE. v. To withdraw, in consequence of holding a different 

opinion. L. secedo : se, denoting separation, and cedo, to depart. 
SECES'SION. s. Act of seceding. L. secessio. See SECEDE. 
SECLUDE, v. To shut up, or confine from ; to withdraw ; to exclude. 

L. secludo ; comp. of se, denoting separation, and claudo, to shut. 
SECOND, adj. Following next in order to the first; the ordinal of 

two; inferior. F. second: L. secundus ; from sequor, to follow. 
SECOND, s. One who is not a principal, but a supporter or abettor ; 

one who accompanies another in a duel ; a sixtieth part of a minute, 

formerly called a second minute. See the adjective. 
SECONDARY, adj. Not primary ; following the first ; subordinate ; 

not of the first order. L. secundarius. See SECOND. 
SE'CRET. adj. Retired ; private ; unseen ; hidden ; unrevealed. F. 

secret : L. secretus, part, of secerno, to put asunder : se, asunder, and 

cerno, to sift, or separate. 
SECRETARY, s. One intrusted with the secrets, or the management 

of business ; one who writes for another ; a writing desk, or cabinet 

for holding valuable papers. L. secretarius. See SECRET. 
SECRETE', v. To hide ; (in the animal economy,) to separate. See 

SE'CRET. 
SECRE'TION. s. That agency in the animal economy which consists 

in secreting or separating the various fluids of the body; the fluid 

secreted. See SECRETE. 
SECT. s. A separate body, or subdivision of persons, holding an opi- 
nion different from the society from which they have separated. F. 

secte : L. secta. See SECTION. 
SECTION, s. A part divided from the rest; a division, h.sectio: 

sectus, p. part, of seco, to cut. , 

SECTOR, s. In geometry, a mathematical instrument, for describing 

or -measuring angles. L. from sectus, p. part, of seco, to cut, or 

divide. 
SECULAR, adj. Relating to affairs of this world ; not spiritual : — in 

the church of Rome, not bound by monastic rules. L. secularis : 

seculum, an age or period of man's life : secula, a scythe, (from seco, 

to cut ;) alluding to the emblematical scythe of Time. 
SECUNDUM ARTEM. According to art. L. 

SECU'RE. adj. Using no care to avert danger ; without fear ; confi- 
dent; safe; sufficiently confined to prevent escape. L. securus : se, 

asunder, and cura, care. 

230 



SED— SEN 

SEDA'TE. adj. Still ; calm ; serene ; grave. L. sedatus, p. part, of 

sedo, to allay : sedeo, to sit. 
SED'ENTARY. adj. Passed in sitting still; without motion or action. 

L. sedentarius : sedeo, to sit. 
SEDIMENT, s. That which subsides to, or rests at the bottom. F. 

sediment : L. sedimentum : sedeo, to sit, or rest on. 
SEDITION, s. Mutiny; treasonable conspiracy. L. seditio ; from 

sedeo, to sit : that is, to sit together, or convene. 
SEDU'CE. v. To lead from duty, or allegiance; to allure; to betray; 

to dishonour. L. seduco : se, asunder, and duco, to lead. 
SEDUCTION, s. Act of seducing. F. seduction: L. seductus, p. part. 

of seduco. See SEDUCE. 
SED'ULOUS. adj. Being in the habit of close and regular application 

to any business ; assiduous ; very industrious. L. sedulus : sedeo, to 

sit. 
SEEM. v. To make or have a show or semblance ; to have the appear- 

ance ot truth or fact. F. sembler ; from the L. similis, like. 
SEG'MENT. s. A figure contained between a chord and an arch of a 

circle, or so much of a circle as is cut off by the chord. F. segment : 

L. segtnentum ; from seco, to cut. 
SELECT', adj. Chosen ; chosen on account of superior excellence. 

L. selectus, p. part, of selego : se, asunder, and lego, (legere,) to 

choose. 
SELENOG'RAPHY. s. A description of the moon. G. selene, the 

moon, and grapho, to write. 
SEM'BLANCE. s. Likeness ; resemblance ; figure. F. semblance : 

L. similis, like. 
SEM'I. A word which, used in composition, signifies half; as, semi- 
diameter, half the diameter. L. 
SEM'INAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to seed. L. seminalis : semi- 

nis, gen. of semen, seed. 
SEMTNARY. s. The ground in which seeds are sown, with a design 

of transplanting their produce ; place of education, where the seeds 

of knowledge, and of future usefulness and good conduct, are sown. 

L. seminarium ; from semen, seed. 
SEN'ATE. s. An assembly of state counsellors or legislators, chosen 

on account of their mature age, and consequently greater experience, 

wisdom, and prudence. L. senatus : senex, an old man. 
SENESCENCE, s. The state of growing old. L. senescens, part, of 

senesco : senis, old. 
SENTLE. adj. Relating or pertaining to old age. L. senilis : senium, 

old age. 
SE'NIOR. adj. The elder, (opposed to junior.) L. senior, compar. of 

senex, old. 
SENSA'TION. s. Perception or feeling through the senses. L. sen- 

satio. See SENSE. 
SENSE, s. Faculty or power by which external objects are perceived 

or felt by the mind. The senses are five in number : sight, touch, 

hearing, smell, and taste. But this term is applied more generally 

in common discourse, though restricted, as here denned, by meta- 
physicians. L. sensus ; from a part, of sentio, to discern by the 

senses. 

231 



SEN— SER 

SEN'SIBLE. adj. Having the power of perceiving by the senses ; 
perceptible by the senses; state of having perceived by the senses. 
See SENSE. 

SEN'SITIVE. adj. Having sense or perception, but not reason , af- 
fected by contact, or the touch, as a sensitive plant. F. sensitif. 
See SENSE. 

SENSO'RIUM, or SENSORY, s. That part whence the senses 
transmit their perceptions to the mind ; the seat of sense. L. See 
SENSE. 

SEN'SUAL. adj. Affecting or pertaining to the senses, but not to the 
mind; carnal; luxurious; lewd. F. sensuel. See SENSE. 

SEN'TENCE. s. Determination or decision, as of a judge; doom; so 
many words as express a sentiment or occurrence iully, and accord- 
ing to the rules of grammar. F. sentence : L. sententia ; from sen- 
tio, to be sensible of' or think. 

SENTENTIOUS, adj. Abounding with sentences, axioms, and max- 
ims, — short and energetic. L. sententiosus. See SENTENCE. 

SENTIENT, adj. Perceiving ; having perception. L. sentiens, part. 
of sentio, to perceive through the senses. 

SENTIMENT, s. Conception of the mind; notion; opinion; mean- 
ing, considered distinctly from the language. F. sentiment : L. sen. 
tio, to feel, or think. 

SENTINEL, s. One who watches or guards, to prevent surprise or 
theft. F. sentinelle : L. sentio, to discern. 

SENTRY, s. A sentinel. See SENTINEL. 

SEPARATE, v. To sever a part from the rest ; to disunite : to with- 
draw. L. separo : se, asunder, and paio, to make, or dispose. 

SEPTANGULAR, adj. Having seven angles. L. septem, seven, and 
angulus, an angle. 

SEPTEM'BER. s. The ninth month ; formerly, the seventh, when the 
year began in March. L. from septem, seven. 

SEPTEN'NIAL. adj. Lasting seven years ; happening once in seven 
years. L. septennis : septem, seven, and annus, a year. 

SEPTIC, or SEPTICAL. adj. Corrupting ; causing putrefaction. L. 
seplicus : G. septikos ; from sepo, to putrefy. 

SEPTUAGINT. s. The ancient Greek version of the Old Testament; 
so called, as being the work of about seventy (seventy-two) inter- 
preters. L. septuaginta, seventy. 

SEPTUPLE, adj. Sevenfold. L. septuplex ; comp. of septem, seven, 
and duplex, double. 

SEP'ULCHRE. s. A place inclosed for burial. L. sepulcrum : sepul- 
tus, p. part, of sepelio, to bury ; from sepio, to inclose, or hedge in. 

SEPULTURE, s. Burial in a sepulchre. F. sepulture : L. sepultura. 
See SEPULCHRE. 

SEQUA'CIOUS. adj. Following ; attendant ; pliant. L. sequacis, gen. 
ofseqvax: sequor, to follow. 

SE'QUEL. s. Succeeding part; consequence; event. F. sequelle : 
L. sequor, to follow. 

SEQUENCE, s. Order of succession ; series. L. sequens, part, of 
sequor, to follow. 

SERE'NE. adj. Calm ; placid ; unruffled. L. serenus, clear, without 
clouds. 

232 



SER-SEX 

SERIAT'IM. According to place or seniority. L. from series, an 

order, concatenation, or course. 
SE'RIES. s. Connected succession ; order ; course. L. series ; from 

sero, to lay in order, or join. 
SERIOUS, adj. Grave; solemn; in earnest; important. L. serins: 

sero, to lay in order. 
SER'MON. s. A religious or moral discourse, pronounced or composed 

generally by a clergyman. F. sermon: L. sermo, discourse, talk. 
SEROUS* adj. Thin ; watery ; relating or pertaining to the serum, 

L. serosus : serum, whey. 
SERTENT. s. An animal that moves by undulation, without legs. 

L. serpens, part, of serpo, to creep. 
SERPENTINE, adj. Resembling a serpent; winding like a serpent. 

L. serpentinus. See SERPENT. 
SER'RATE, or SERRA'TED. adj. Indented like the edge of a saw. 

L. serratus : serra, a saw. 
SE'RUM. s. In anatomy, a thin, transparent, saltish liquor, which 

makes a considerable quantity of the mass of blood. L. serum, 

whey. 
SER'VANT. s. One who is under an obligation to work for another. 

F. servant. See SERVE. 
SERVE, v. To work for ; to attend at command ; to obey ; to supply 

with food or table furniture, ceremoniously; to supply; to aid; to 

promote; to content ; to deliver, as in the case of a summons. L. 

servio : servus, a bond servant : servo, to keep, heed, or defend. 
SER'VICE. s. Act of serving ; time of serving ; public office of devo- 
tion ; employment; benefit, &c. F. service: L. servitium. See 

SERVE. 
SER'VILE. adj. Slavish; relating to a slave; dependent; mean; 

fawning or cringing, L. servilis. See SERVE. 
SER'VITOR. s. One who acts under another; one of the lowest order 

in a university. F. serviteur. See SERVE. 
SESQUIPEDA'LION. s. Containing a foot and a half. L. sesqui, 

so much and half as much, and pedis, gen, of pes, a foot. 
SESS. s. See CESS. 
SES'SION. s. A stated assembly of magistrates, legislators, divines, 

&c. ; the space during which the assembly sits. F. session : L. 

sessio ; from sedeo, to sit. 
SETA'CEOUS. adj. Bristly ; set with strong hairs ; consisting of 

strong hairs. L. seta, a bristle. 
SE'TON. s. A hair, or thread of silk, inserted in the flesh, to cause a 

discharge of humour. F. seton : L. seta, a bristle, or strong hair. 
SEVER, v. To separate ; to disjoin. F. sevrer : L. separo : se, asun- 
der, and paro, to make. 
SEVERAL, adj. Different; distinct; particular; single; divers; 

many. See SEVER. 
SEX. s. The property by which any animal or plant is male or female ; 

gender, as regards male and female. F.sexe: L. sezus : sectvs, p. 

part, of seco, to cut, or divide. 
SEXAGES'IMA. adj. Relating to the second Sunday before Lent; so 

called as being about the sixtieth day before Easter, L. fem of 

sexagesimuSy the sixtieth. 

u* 233 



SEX— SIM 

SEXAN'GULAR. adj. Having six angles. L. sex, six, and angulus, 

an angle. 

SEXEN'NIAL. adj. Lasting six years ; happening once in six years. 
L. sex, six, and annus, a year. 

SEX'TANT. s. The sixth part of a circle ; an astronomical instru- 
ment formed like a quadrant, (of 90 degrees,) but the limb ef which 
comprehends 60 degrees, or the sixth part of a circle. L. sextans, a 
sixth part : sex, six. 

SEX'TILE. adj. Relating to the position of two planets, when at 60 
degrees distance (the sixth of a circle,) from each other. L. sextilis ; 
from sex, six. 

SEXTUPLE, adj. Sixfold ; six times told. L. sexiuplus : sex, six, 
and duplex, double. 

SIB'ILANT. adj. Hissing. L. sihilans, part, of sibiJo, to hiss. 

SICCA'TION. s. Act of drying. L. siccatus, p. part, of sicco, to dry. 

SI'DERAL. adj. Starry; astral. L. sideralis : sideris, gen. of sidus, 
a star. 

SIDEROGRAPH IC. adj. Relating to the art of engraving or im- 
pressing letters and other figures on iron or steel ; an art brought to 
a very high state of perfection, if not invented, by Perkins &. Co. of 
Philadelphia. G. sideros, iron, and grapho, to write. 

SIGN. s. A mark ; that by which any thing is shown ; an omen. F. 
signe : L. signum,a mark. In the age of darkness, when the clergy 
purposely held the laity in the grossest ignorance, writing was con- 
fined chiefly to the cloisters ; and persons who could not write made 
the sign of the cross, in place of their name, in confirmation of any 
legal deed : hence, the phrase signing, instead of subscribing a paper. 

SIGN. v. To affix or subjoin one's hand-writing or seal, as evidence 
of identity or ratification ; to signify. See the substantive. 

SIG'NAL. s. Notice given by a sign ; a sign that gives notice ; adj. 
conspicuous ; remarkable. F. signal. See SIGN. 

SIG'NATURE. s. A sign or mark impressed upon any thing ; sign- 
manual. F. signature : L. signatura. See SIGN. 

SIG'NET. s. A sea!, generally used for the seal manual of a prince. 
F. signette, dimin. of signe, a mark. See SIGN. 

SIG'NIFY. v. To declare by some sign or token ; to express ; to im- 
port. F. signifter : L. significo ; comp. of signum, a sign, and/ac70, 
to make. 

SILEX. s. Flint. L. 

SILICEOUS, adj. Having the nature of silex, or flint. L. siliceus, 
or silicius : silicis, gen. of silex, a flint stone. 

SIL'VAN, or SYL'VAN. adj. Woody ; shady; relating or pertaining 
to woods. L. silca, or sylva, a wood. 

SIMTLAR. adj. Like ; resembling. F. similaire : L. similis, like. 

SIMILE, s. A comparison, by which any thing is illustrated or made 
more striking- to the understanding. L. similis, like. 

SIMILTTUDE. s. Likeness; resemblance; comparison. L. simili. 
tudo ; from similis, like. 

SI'MONY. s. The crime of buying or selling church preferments, or 
of corruptly ordaining or licensing any person for the church ; so 
called, from the resemblance it is said to bear to the sin of Simon 
Magus, who, upon seeing the miraculous effects of the laying on of 

234 



SIM— SOC 

the apostles' hands, offered them money; saying, "Give me, also, 
this power," &c. — Acts, viii. 18. 

SIM'PLE. adj. Single; uncompounded ; plain; artless; unskilled; 
silly. F. simple: L. simplex: comp. of sine, without, and plico, to 
fold. 

SIMULA'TION. s. Act of assuming- the appearance of some particular 
character, with the intention of deceiving. F. simulation: L. simu- 
latio : simulatus, p. part, of simulo : sirnilis, like. 

SIMULTANEOUS, adj. Acting together ; acting at the same time. 
L. simultaneus ; from simul, together, and teneo, to hold. 

SIN'ECURE. s. An office which has revenue, without any care or 
employment. L. sine, without, cava, care. 

SINE DTE. When a business is adjourned sine die, no day is ap- 
pointed for its reconsideration. L. sine, without, die, (abh of dies,) 
a day. 

SINE QUA NON. A sine qua non (without which, not,) is an indis- 
pensable condition, — without which being acceded, one of the parties 
is predetermined not to sign a treaty or compact : thus, the " acknow- 
ledgment of the independence of the United States" was a sine qua 
non, proposed and obtained by the American commissioners at Paris 
in 1782-3. L. 

SIN'GLE. adj. Not more than one; unconnected; particular; indi- 
vidual ; alone ; unmarried. L. singulus, every, each one, one by one. 

SINGULAR, adj. Single ; expressing only one; not plural; unexam- 
pled ; remarkable ; unique. L. singularis. See SINGLE. 

SINISTER, adj. Left, as opposed to right; evil designed ; unfair. L. 

SINIS'TROUS. adj. Absurd ; perverse ; evil designed. See SINIS- 
TER. 
~SIN'UATED. adj. Bent in and out. L. sinuatus, p. part, of sinvo, to 
wind : sinus, a bosom, or bay. 

SINUOUS, adj. Bending in undent. L. sinus, a bosom, or bay. 

SIR. s. A word of respect, used in addressing a man above the vulgar 
class ; the title of a baronet, or of a knight. F. sire. See SIRE. 

SIRE. s. A father ; a word of respect, used in addressing a prince. F. 
sire : L. senior, elder. 

SI'REN. s. A goddess, (one of three,) who is fabulously related to have 
enticed men by singing, and then devoured them ; any mischievous 
enticer. L. siren. The name, according to Bochart, who derives it 
from the Phenician language, implies a songstress. Its meaning is, 
therefore, synonymous with the G. surizzo, to play on a pipe. 

SITE. s. Situation ; local position. L. situs ; from situs, (p. part, of 
sino,) set,i or placed. 

SITUA'TION. s. Place ; position ; state. F. situation. See SITE. 

SKEL'ETON. s. The bones of a body, preserved or remaining, as 
nearly as possible, in their natural position ; the frame of any thing, 
in an unfinished or decayed state ; officers of a regiment which has 
been wasted in service. G-. from skelo, to dry. 

SKEP'TIC. s. See SCEPTIC. 

SO'CIAL. adj. Fond of society ; relating to society ; familiar; cheer- 
ful ; agreeable. L. socialis ; from socius, a companion. 

SOCI'ETY. s. Union of many in one general interest; people thus 
united ; company. F. societe : L. societas ; socius, a companion. 

235 



SOI— SOL 

SOI DISANT'. Self-called ; as, the soi-disant baronet. F. 

SOJOURN', v. To dwell only for a time ; to live as from home. F. 
sejourner ; journee, a journey : jour, a day. 

SOL ACE. v. To comfort; to cheer. L. solor, to comfort. 

SO'LAR. adj. Relating or pertaining to the sun. L. Solaris ; sol, the 
sun. 

SOLD'ER. v. To unite or fasten with metallic cement. L.solido; 
from solidus, solid. 

SOL'DIER. s. A warrior. Originally, one who served for pay. L. 
soldurius. The most rational derivation of the word Soldier, is to be 
found in Caesar's Com. De Bell. Gall. Lib. iii. xxii. — "Atque in ea re, 
omnium nostrorum intentis an i mis, alia ex parte oppidi Adscantuan- 
nus, qui summam imperii tenebat, cum DC devotis, quos illi (Galli) 
Soldurios appellant : quorum hsec est conditio, ut omnibus in vita 
commodis una cum his fruantur, quorum se amicitiaa dediderint: si 
quid iis per vim accidat, aut eundem casum una ferant, aut sibi 
mortem consciscant : neque adhuc hominum memoria repertus est 
quisquam, qui, eo interfecto.cujus se amicitife devovisset, mori recu- 
saret." — "And, when the attention of all was turned to that affair, 
Adscantuannus, who held the chief command, came out, from an- 
other part of the town, with 600 determined men, whom they (the 
Gauls) call SOLDURII : whose condition is this, that, in every cir- 
cumstance of life, they enjoy the same lot with them to whom they 
have attached themselves in friendship. If any violence is done to 
them, they either suffer the same misfortune, 01 devote themselves 
to death for them : nor as yet, within the memory of man, has any 
one been found, who, the person being slain, to whom he had devoted 
himself in friendship, had refused to die." 

SOLE. s. That part which touches the ground. L. solu?n, that which 
sustains or bears any thing on it; the ground. 

SOLE. adj. Single; only; (in law,) not married. Old F. sole: L. 
solus, alone. 

SOL'ECISM. s. Unfitness of one word to another; impropriety in 
language. L. soloecismvs : G. soloikismos : Solas, a Grecian city of 
Cilicia, in Asia Minor, the inhabitants of which degenerated, in lan- 
guage, from the purity of the Attic dialect ; hence, the Athenians 
applied the term, soloikoi, to all people of barbarous speech, and to 
all barbarians. 

SOL'EMN. adj. Religiously grave ; awful ; serious. L. solemnis, or 
solennis, yearly, or appointed: that is, done every year, at an ap- 
pointed time, in the manner of a religious ceremony : solus, only, 
and annus, a vear. 

SOLICIT, v. To entreat ; to implore ; to ask. L. solicito, to stir or 
dig up the ground, to disturb, to be busy, to trouble, to press, to be 
urgent : solum, the ground, and cito, to excite, or stir up. 

SOLICITOUS, adj. Anxious; anxiously desirous; concerned. L. 
solicitus. See SOLICIT. „ 

SOLTD. adj. Not liquid ; compact ; not hollow ; full of matter ; strong ; 
firm ; having all the geometrical dimensions ; sound ; real ; grave. 
L. solidus, substantial. 

SOLIDUNG'ULOUS. adj. Whole-hoofed, not cloven. L. solidus, solid, 
and uvgulus, a hoof. 

236 



SOL— SOR 

SOLILOQUY, s. A discourse made by one, in private, to himself. F. 

soliloque : L. sgIus, alone, and loquor, to speak. 
SOL'IPEDE. s. An animal whose feet are not cloven. L. solidi, and 

pedes, pi. of solidus, solid, and pes, a foot. 
SOLITARY, adj. Alone ; retired ; done or passed without company ; 

single. L. solitarius ; solus, alone. 
SOL'ITUDE. s. Solitary life ; state of being alone ; retirement ; a de- 
sert. L. solitudo ; solus, alone. 
SO'LO. s. A tune designed for a single instrument, or a single voice. 

Italian ; from the L. solus, alone. 
SOL'STICE. s. A point in the ecliptic, beyond which the sun does not 

go ; or, rather, beyond which the earth does not proceed, in its an- 
nual motion around the sun. L. solstitium ; comp. of sol, the sun, 

and status, part, of sto, to stand. 
SOLSTITIAL, adj. Relating or pertaining to the solstice. L. solsti- 

Halis. See SOLSTICE. 
SOL'UBLE. adj. Capable of being dissolved. L. solubilis ; from solvo, 

to loosen, or melt. 
SOLUTION, s. Act of dissolving ; matter dissolved ; explanation. F. 

solution : L. solutio ; solutus, p. part, of soho, to loosen, untie, or 

melt. 
SOLVE, v. To explain ; to make intelligible. L. solvo, to loosen, or 

untie. 
SOL'VENT. adj. Having the power of dissolving ; having the means 

of paying debts contracted, and thus dissolving an obligation. L. 

solvens, part, of solvo, to loosen, discharge, or melt. 
SOMNAM'BULATE. v. To walk while asleep. L. somnus, sleep, and 

ambulo, to walk. 
SOMNIF'EROUS. adj. Causing sleep. L. somnifer : comp. of somnus, 

sleep, and fero, to bring. 
SOMNIFIC, adj. Causing sleep. L. somnus, sleep, and facio, to 

make. 
SOMNOLENCY, s. Sleepiness ; inclination to sleep. L. somnolentia : 

somnus, sleep. 
SONATA, s. A tune. Italian ; from the L. sono, to sound. 
SON'NET. s. A short poem, or species of song. F. sonnet : L. sono, 

to sound. . 
SOPHISM, s. A fallacious argument, ingeniously framed ; an un- 
sound subtlety. G. sophisma, something invented : sophia, wisdom. 
SOPHTST. s. A professor of philosophy ; a framer of sophisms, or 

prating caviller. G. sophistes ; sophia, wisdom. 
SOPHTSTER. s. A disputant, fallaciously subtle ; one who frames 

sophisms; a particular rank in some universities. See SOPHIST. 
SOPHISTICATED, part. adj. Fallacious ; spurious ; adulterated. See 

SOPHIST, and SOPHISTER. 
SOPHISTRY, s. Fallacious argumentation; logical exercise. See 

SOPHIST. 
SOPORIFTC. adj. Causing sleep. L. sopor, sleep, and facio, to make. 
SOR'CERER. s. A pretended enchanter or magician. L. sortiarius ; 

from sortis, gen. of sors, a lot, or chance. 
SOR' DID. adj. Mean ; vile ; base ; covetous ; niggardly. L. sordidus ; 

from sordes, filth. 

237 



SOR-SPE 

SORO'RICIDE. s. Murder of a sister. L. soror, a sister, and ctedo, 
to kill. 

SORT. s. A kind ; a species ; rank. F. sorte : L. sors, a lot, chance, 
condition, kind. 

SOURCE, s. Spring; head; origin. F. source : L. surgo, to arise. 

SOVEREIGN, adj. Supreme in power ; chief; supremely efficacious. 
F. souveraine : L. super, above, and regno, to reign. 

SPACE, s. Room; quantity of time ; the relation of distance between 
any two bodies or points. L. spatium, a space of ground or time ; 
but, properly, a stage or distance in racing. 

SPA'CIOUS. adj. Wide ; extensive ; roomy. L. spatiosus. See 
SPACE. 

SPARSE, adj. Scattered ; far apart. L. sparsus, p. part, of spargo, 
to sprinkle. 

SPASM, s. Convulsion ; violent and involuntary contraction. G. 
spasma ; from spao, to draw, or pluck. 

SPASMOD'IC. adj. Convulsive. See SPASM. 

SPECIAL, adj. Particular; peculiar; appropriate; designed for a 
particular purpose; extraordinary; uncommon. L. specialis. See 
SPECIES. 

SPECIES, s. A sort ; a subdivision of a general term ; single order 
of beings. L. species, a form, figure, or sort; from specio, to see. 

SPECIFIC, adj. Relating or pertaining to the qualities which make 
or distinguish a species ; appropriated to the cure of some one spe- 
cies of distemper. F. specifique : L. species, a sort, and facio, to 
make. 

SPECIFY, v. To mention a species or sort by some particular marks 
of distinction ; to show or declare particularly, not generally. F. 
specifier : L. species, a sort, and facio, to make, or delineate. 

SPECIMEN, s. A sample; a part of any divisible species, exhibited, 
that the rest may be known. L. See SPECIES. 

SPECIOUS, adj. Showy ; plausible ; apparently, but not really right 
or valuable. L. speciosus ; from specio, to see. 

SPECTACLE, s. Any tiling perceived by the sight; a show; some- 
thing exhibited to the view as eminently remarkable ; (in the plural,) 
glasses to aid the sight. F. spectacle : L. spectaculum ; spectum, sup. 
of specio, to see. 

SPECTATOR, s. A looker-on ; a beholder. L. spectator. See SPEC- 
TACLE. 

SPECTRE, s. An apparition ; a phantasm. F. spectre : L. spectrum; 
specio, to see. 

SPECTRUM, s. An image ; a visible form. Ocular spectra are images 
presented to the eye, after removing them from a bright object, or 
closing them. L. from specio, to see. 

SPECULAR, adj. Having the qualities of a mirror or looking-glass. 
L. specularis ; specio, to see. 

SPECULATE, v. To look forward with the mind ; to conjecture ; to 
purciiase any thing under the impression of a future advance in its 
value, — or to sell in expectation of a decline. L. speculor : from 
specio, to see. 

SPECULUM, s. A mirror; a looking-glass; that in which represen- 
tations are formed by reflexion. L. speculum; specio, to see. 

238 



SPE— SPL 

SPERM, s. Seed ; that by which a species is continued. G. sperma ; 

speiro, to sow. 
SPERMATTC. adj. Seminal : consisting of seed ; belonging to or 

containing sperm. See SPERM. 
SPERMOL'OGIST. s. One who gathers and treats of seeds. G. sper- 

mologos ; comp. of sperma, seed, and logos, a description. 
SPHACELUS, s. A gangrene ; a mortification of the flesh. G. spha- 

kelos ; from sphazo, to destroy. 
SPHERE, s. A globe ; a solid body, contained under one, uniform, 

round surface, every point of which is equally distant from a certain 

point in the middle, called its centre ; orb ; circuit of motion ; indi- 
vidual compass of knowledge or action ; particular employment. L. 

sphaira : G. sphaira, a bowl, or any thing that is round. 
SPHE'ROID. s. A solid body, oblong or oblate, approaching the form 

of a sphere. G. sphaira, a sphere, and eidos, a shape. 
SPHINCTER, s. A muscle, which binds up or draws together any 

passage or duct of the body. G. sphingo, to shut up. 
SPINE, s. The back-bone. L. spina, a thorn, a prickle, a pin, the 

back-bone, [or that which pins the body together.] 
SPINAS, s. In botany, thorns or rigid prickles. L. pi. of spina, a 

thorn. 
SPINIF'EROUS. adj. Bearing thorns. L. spina, a thorn, and fero, to 

bear. 
SPI'NOUS. adj. Thorny ; full of thorns. L. spinosus : spina, a 

thorn. 
SPIR'ACLE. s. A breathing hole ; a vent; a small aperture. L. spu 

raculum : spiro, to breathe. 
SPI'RAL. adj. Curve ; winding ; circularly formed, like a screw. See 

SPIRE. 
SPIRE, s. A curved line ; a curl ; a wreath ; a building of a taper 

form on the outside or inside of which winding stairs are built ; any 

building of a taper form, without winding stairs. L. spira ; from 

the G. speira, a rope ; alluding to the winding convolutions of the 

several plies of a rope. 
SPIR'IT. s. Breath; principle of animal life; an immaterial sub- 
stance; an intellectual being ; the human soul; a spectre ; temper; 

ardour; courage; enterprise; desire; eharacteristical likeness; an 

inflammable and intoxicating liquor, obtained by distillation. L. 

spiritus : spiro, to breathe. 
SPIRTTUAL. adj. Distinct from matter; incorporeal; relating to the 

soul ; not temporal ; relating to eternity ; ecclesiastical. F. spirituel: 

L. spiritualis. See SPIRIT. 
SPIRITUOUS, adj. Having the quality of distilled spirit. F. spiri- 

tueux. See SPIRIT. 
SPLEEN, s. The milt ; one of the intestine members, the use of which 

is scarcely known. It is fancied to be the seat of anger, melancholy, 

and mirth ; hence, the application of the term, in relation to these 

passions. L. and G. splen. 
SPLEN'DID. adj. Showy; magnificent; sumptuous; pompous. F. 

splendide : L. splendidiis : splendeo, to shine. 
SPLENETIC, adj. Troubled with the spleen ; fretful ; peevish. F. 

splenetique. See SPLEEN. 

239 



SPO— STA 

SPOIL, v. To carry away by force; to plunder; to injure; to grow 
useless. L. spolio ; from the G. spao, to draw, or pluck off. 

SPOLIATION, s. Act of spoiling or plundering. L. spoliatio. See 
SPOIL. 

SPON'SOR. s. One who makes a promise or gives security for an. 
other. L. sponsor : sporisus, p. part, of spondeo, to promise willingly. 

SPONTANEOUS, adj. Voluntary ; natural ; without cultivation. L. 
spontaneus ; from spondeo, to promise willingly. 

SPOUSE, s. One joined in marriage ; a husband or wife. F. epouse, 
(formerly espouse :) L. sponsa : sponsus, p. part, of spondeo, to pro- 
mise willingly. 

SPRIGHT, or SPRITE, s. A spirit ; an apparition. This word is a 
contraction of Spirit. 

SPRTGfiT'LY. adj. Airy; with spirit; lively. See SPRIGHT. 

SPUME, s. Foam, or froth. L. spuma : spuo, to spit: and, from the 
same root, is derived the verb spew. 

SQUAD, s. A company of armed men ; a party learning military ex- 
ercise ; any small party. F. escouade. See SQUADRON. 

SQUAD'RON. s. Originally, signified a body of troops drawn up 
square. It now denotes part of an army, or part of a fleet, and 
sometimes, a small fleet. F. escadron : Italian, squadrone : L. quad, 
ratus, squared. 

SQUALID, adj. Foul ; nasty ; filthy. L. squalidus : squaleo, to be 
filthy. 

SQUAMOUS, adj. Scaly ; covered with scales. L. squameus : squama, 
the scale of a fish, &c. 

SQUIRE, s. This word, a contraction of Esquire, is used, by the pea- 
santry of England, to denote a country gentleman ; and signifies, in; 
some parts of the United States of America, a justice of the peace. 

STABILITY, s. Capability of standing; steadiness; firmness. F. 
stabilite : L. stabilitas. See STABLE. 

STA'BLE. adj. Capable of standing ; steady ; firm. L. stabilis : sto, 
to stand. 

STA'BLE. s. A house for beasts. L. stabulum : sto, to stand. 

STAG'NANT. adj. Motionless ; not flowing. L. stagnans, part, of 
slagno, to stand still : sto, to stand. 

STAGNATE, v. To become motionless ; to have no course or stream. 
L. stagnatus, p. part, of stagno, to stand still. 

STALACTITE, s. Spar, in the shape of an icicle, formed by water 
dropping from the fissures of a rock. G. stalazo, to drop. 

STAM'INA. s. First principles ; solids of the human body ; (in botany,) 
little threads or capillaments, which grow up within the flowers of 
plants, and encompass the style. L. pi. of stamen, hemp, flax, &c, 
placed on a distaff for spinning, — or a thread : G. istemi, to place, 
or build. 

STAMIN'EOUS. adj. In botany, consisting of stamina, or threads. 
L. stamineus. See STAMINA. 

STAN'NARY. s. The stannary courts, in Devonshire and Cornwall, 
are for the administration of justice amongst persons working or 
concerned in the tin mines. L. stannarius ; from stannium, tin. 

STATE, s. Condition; circumstances of nature or fortune; degree; 

240 



STA— STI 

ceremonious order, or position ; rank ; grandeur ; nation or com- 
monwealth. L. status : status, p. part, of sto, to stand. 
STATE, v. To represent the state or condition, in all the circum- 
stances of modification ; to explain. See tue noun. 
STA'TED. part. adj. Established: ordained; regular. L. status, p. 

part, of sto, to stand, or continue. 
STAT'ICS. s. That branch of mechanics which treats of bodies at 

rest ; opposed to dynamics, which treats of bodies in motion. In 

medicine, a kind of epileptics, or persons seized with epilepsies. G. 

statike: statos, part, of istemi, to stand, or sustain. 
STA'TION. s. Appointed place of standing or assembling; session at 

an appointed place; post; office; situation; rank; condition of life. 

F. station : L. statio : status, p. part, of sto, to stand. 
STA'TION ER. s. A vender of books, &c, who remains in one station 

or fixed place, but does not sell as an itinerant, or pedler. See 

STATION. 
STAT'UE. s. A standing image. F. statue : L. statua : status, p. 

part, of sto, to stand. 
STAT U QUO. In its (his, her, or their,) former state. L. statu, in 

the state, quo, in which ; status and qui. 
STAT'URE. s. The height of any ammal, measured when standing. 

F. stature : L. slalura : status, p. part, of sto, to stand. 
STAT' US QUO. The "status quo ante bellum," the state in which 

[the several belligerents were] before the war. L. 
STAT'UTE. s. A law, intended to be permanent and general, not 

made for a temporary or particular purpose. F. statut : L. slatutum : 

status, p. part, of sto, to stand, or continue. 
STEGANOG'RAPHY. s. The art of writing secretly, in ciphers. G. 

steganos, secret, and grapho, to write. 
STEGNO'SIS. s. An obstruction of the pores of the body ; the sup- 
pression of any evacuation. G. stegno-o, to bind. 
STEGNOTTC. adj. Binding; rendering costive. G. stegnotikos ; from 

% stegvo-o, to bind. 
STELLAR, adj. Astral ; relating to the stars. L. Stella, a star. 
STEL/LATE. adj. Pointed in the manner of an irradiating star. L. 

stellatus, part, of stellor : Stella, a star. 
STENOG'RAPHY. s. Short-hand. G. stenos, short, and grapho, to 

write. 
STERCORA'CEOUS. adj. Relating to dung; partaking of the nature 

of dung. L. stercoraceus : stercoris, gen. of stercus, dung. 
STEREOGRAPHY, s. Art of drawing the forms of solid bodies on a 

plane. G. stereos, solid, and grapho, to write. 
STEREOMETRY, s. The art of measuring solid bodies. G. stereos, 

solid, and nietreo, to measure. 
STEREOTYPE, s. Stereotype printing is by types cast together, in 

a solid plate ; not by types, each of which can be separated from the 

others. G. stereos, solid, and tupos, a type. 
STERILE, adj. Barren; unfruitful, h.steiilis; from the G. stereo, 

to take away. 
STETH ESCOPE. s. A tubular instrument, for distinguishing diseases 

of the stomach by sounds. G. stethos, the breast, and skopeo, to view. 
STIG'MA. s. A mark of infamy. G. stigma ; from stizo, to brand, 
v 241 



STI— STR 

STIGMATIZE, v. To brand, or distinguish by a mark of infamy. 

See STIG'MA. 
STILL, s. A vessel used in distilling. See DISTIL. 
STIM'ULATE. v. To excite forward; to influence by some pungent 

motive ; to increase the animal spirits. L. stimulo, to prick : G. 

stigme, a point. 
STIPEND, s. Salary ; settled pay. L. stipendium ; from stipis, a 

piece of money, with which the Roman soldiers were anciently paid, 

by weight, and pernio, to pay. 
STIPENDIARY, s. One who receives a stipend. See STIPEND. 
STIP TIC. adj. See STYPTIC. 
STIP'ULATE. v. To bargain ; to contract ; to settle terms. L. stipiu 

lor ; from stipo, to fill up close. 
STOTC. s. One who holds the doctrines of the heathen philosopher, 

Zeno. L. stoicus : G. stoikos ; from stoa, a porch, in which Zeno 

taught. 
STOMACH, s. The ventricle in which food is digested ; appetite. L. 

stomachus : G. stoma, a mouth, and echo, to have. 
STO'RY. s. History ; a small tale ; a petty fiction. See HISTORY. 
STRAIGHT, adj. Not crooked ; turning neither to the right nor left ; 

direct. See STRAIT. 
STRAIN, v. To squeeze through something ; to filter ; to sprain ; to 

put to its utmost strength. F. estreindre : L. stringo, to tighten, or 

bind. 
STRAIT, adj. Narrow ; close ; confined ; strict, s. A narrow pass ; 

distress ; difficulty. F. etroit, formerly estroit. L. strictus, p. part. 

of stringo, to tighten, or bind. 
STRANGER, s. A foreigner ; one unknown ; a guest ; one unac- 
quainted. F. etranger ; from the L. extraneus, foreign: extra, 

without. 
STRAN'GLE. v. To choke ; to suffocate ; to kill by intercepting the 

breath ; to hinder from birth or appearance. L. strangulo : G. 

strangulo-o, to writhe, or twist. 
STRANGURY, s. A painful difficulty in passing urine. L. strangu- 
ria : G. strangouria : comp. of Strang x, a drop, and ouron, urine. 
STR AT' A. s. Layers. Plural of Stratum. L. 

STRATAGEM, s. An artifice in war ; a trick, by which some ad- 
vantage is endeavoured to be gained. L. stratagema : G. strategema : 

from strategeo, to command an army : comp. of stratos, an army, 

and ago, to lead. 
STRAT'AGY. s. The art of conducting a war. See STRATAGEM. 
STRATEOL'OGY. s. A discourse on the art of conducting a war ; 

the art of conducting a war. G. stratos, an army, and logos, a word, 

or discourse. 
STRATIFY, v. To arrange in strata, or layers. F. stratifier : L. 

stratum, a bed, or layer, and facio, to make. 
STRATOG'RAPHY. s. Description of whatever relates to an army. 

G. stratos, an army, and grapho, to write. 
STRA'TUM. s. A layer. L. stratum : stratus, p. part, of sterno, to 

spread. 
STREET, s. A w r ay (properly a paved way,) between two rows of 

houses; the houses which bound the way. Derived, through the 

242 



STR— SUB 

Saxon, from stratum ; which is from stratus, p. part, of sterno, to 
spread. 

STRENUOUS, adj. Active ; zealous ; ardently laborious. L. sirenuus, 
brisk. 

STRESS, s. Violence ; force ; importance imputed. L. strictus, p. 
part, of stringo. See STRAIN. 

STRI'tE. s. In natural history, the small grooves or channels in the 
shells of cockles, scallops, &c. L. pi. of stria, a groove. 

STRI'ATE, or STRI'ATED. adj. Formed in stria. L. striatus, p. 
part, of strio, to groove. 

STRICT, adj. Exact ; accurate ; rigorously attentive to rules ; severe ; 
confined; tight. L. strictus, p. part, of stringo, to tighten, or bind. 

STRICTURE, s. Contraction ; critical remark. L. strictura : strictus, 
p. part, of stringo, to grasp, or hold fast. 

STRUCTURE, s. Act of building ; practice of building ; that which 
is built ; form ; arrangement of words. F. structure : L. structura : 
structus, p. part, of struo, to pile up. 

STU'DENT. s. One who is studying. L. studens, part, of studeo, to 
study. 

STUDY, s. Earnest application of the mind to books and learning ; 
deep cogitation ; any particular kind of learning ; a room for studying 
in. L. studium : studeo, to apply the mind to, or desire eagerly. 

STUL'TIFY. v. To turn to a fool ; to stupefy. L. stultus, foolish, and 
Jio, to become. 

STUPEFACTION, s. Act of stupefying ; state of being stupefied. 
F. stupefaction : L. stupefactus, p. part, of stupefacio. See STU- 
PEFY. 

STU'PEFY. v. To make stupid. L. stupefacio ; comp. of stupor, sense- 
lessness, and facio, to make. 

STU'PID. adj. Dull ; wanting sensibility ; wanting apprehension ; 
sluggish. L. stupidus. See STUPOR. 

STU'POR. s. Suspension or diminution of sensibility. L. stupor ; from 
the G. stupho, to tie fast. 

STYGTAN. adj. Relating or pertaining to the river Styx ; hellish ; 
infernal. L„ stygius ; Stygis, gen. of Styx, the poetical infernal 
lake. G. Stux ; from Stugeo, to tremble. 

STYLE, s. A pointed iron, used anciently in writing on tables of wax; 
manner of writing, with regard to the language ; manner of execut- 
ing, effecting, or acting, in general ; title ; appellation ; the pin of a 
dial, &c. L. stylus : G. stulos, a column. 

STYPTIC, or STYPTTCAL. adj. Astringent ; efficacious in stopping 
a flow of blood. L. stypticus : G. stuptikos ; stupho, to tie fast, or 
bind. 

SUA'SIVE. adj. Persuasive. L. suadeo, to persuade. 

SUAV ITER IN MO' DO. Gently in the manner; an expression 
opposed to fortiter in re : which see. L. 

SUAVITY, s. Agreeableness ; amiability. F. suavite : L. suavitas ; 
suavis, sweet. 

SUB. A Latin preposition, signifying under, or in a subordinate de- 
gree. 

SUBAL'TERN. adj. Subordinate ; of rank below that of a captain. F. 
subalterne : L. sub, under, and alter, another. 

243 



SUB-SUB 

SUBAQ'UEOUS. adj. Existing under water. L. sub, under, and aqua ; 
water. 

SUBDIVI'DE. v. To divide that which has been already divided. L. 
sub, under, (meaning-, in a subordinate degree,) and divide. 

SUBDIVISION, s. Act of subdividing ; thing subdivided. L. sub, 
under, (meaning, in a subordinate degree,) and division. 

SUBDU'CE, or SUBDUCT, v. To withdraw; to take away; to sub. 
tract. L. subduco, (sup. subductum ;) sub, under, and duco, to lead. 

SUBDUC'TION. s. Act of subducing, or subducting. L. subduciio. 
See SUBDUCE. 

SUBDU'E. v. To bring under the yoke ; to subjugate ; to conquer. L. 
subjugo. 

SUBDu'PLE. or SUBDU PLICATE, adj. Containing one part of 
two. F. subduple ; from the L. sub, under, and duplex, double, or 
duplicatus, doubled. 

SU'BERATES. s. Salts formed by the combination of any base, with 
the suberic acid! See SUBERIC. 

SUBER'IC. adj. Suberic acid is obtained from cork. L. suber, the 
cork tree, or cork. 

SUBJACENT, adj. Lying under. L. subjacens, part, of subjaceo ; sub, 
under, and jaceo, to lie. 

SUBJECT', v. To reduce to submission ; to make subordinate; to en- 
sl ve ; to expose ; to make liable. See SUB'JECT. 

SUB'JECT. s. One who lives under the dominion of another; that on 
which any operation, either mental or material, is performed; that 
in which any thing inheres or exists ; (in grammar,) the nominative 
case to a verb. L. subject us, p. part, of subjicio ; sub, under, and 
jacen, to he. 

SUBJOIN'. ». To add at the end. L. sub, under, and join. 

SUB JUGATE, v. To bring into a state of permanent submission ; to 
subdue. L. subjugo ; svb, under, and jugum, a yoke. An enemy, 
when beaUn by the Romans, were actually compelled to march un- 
der the jugum, or yoke, formed of three spears, erected in the man- 
ner of a ga Hows. 

SUBJUNCTIVE, adj. Subjoined; dependent; contingent. L. sub. 
junctivus ; from subji/nsro ; sub, under, and jungo, to join. 

SUB'LIMATE, or SUBLIME, u. To raise by the force of fire ; to ele- 
vate. See the adj. SUBLIME. 

SUBLI'ME adj. High in place ; high in excellence ; indescribably 
grand. L. sublimis, lofty* 

SUBLING'UAL. adj. Placed under the tongue. L. sub, under, and 
lingua, the tongue. 

SUBLUNAR Y. adj. Terrestrial ; of this world. L. sub, under, and 
luna, the moon. 

SUBMARI'NE. adj. Lying or acting under the sea. L. sub, under, 
and mare, the sea. 

SUBMERGE', v. To put under water. L. submergo ; comp, of sub, 
und r, tnd mergo, to sink. 

SUB W KR'SION. s. Act of submerging ; state of being submerged. F. 
submersion : L. suhmvrsus, p. part, ol submergo. See SUBMKR(*E. 

SUBMISSION, s. Act of submitting. L. submissio ; submissus, p. 
part, of submitto. See SUBMIT. 

244 



SUB— SUB 

SUBMIT', v. To resign ; to leave to discretion ; to refer to judgment ; 

to be subject; to acquiesce in the authority of another ; to yield. L. 

submitto ; comp. of sub, under, and mitto, to send, or throw; 
SUB MO DO. In a qualified manner. L. 
SUBORDINATE, adj. Inferior in order, in nature, in dignity, or in 

power. L. sub, under, and ordinatus, p. part, of ordino, to put in 

order : ordo, an order, or rule. 
SUBORN', v. To procure the aid or favour of, by secret and dishonest 

means ; to seduce from duty. L. suborno ; sub, under, (meaning 

secretly,) and orno, to deck, or furnish. 
SUBPQE'NA. s. A writ commanding attendance, under a penalty. L. 

sub, under, poena, punishment. 
SUBSCRI'BE. v. To write under ; to give consent to, or promise by 

underwriting the name ; to assent. L. subscribo ; sub, under, and 

scribo, to write, 
SUBSCRIPTION, s. Act of subscribing ; amount, &c. subscribed ; 

written contribution. L. subscriptio ; subscriptus, p. part, of sub. 

scribo. See SUBSCRIBE. 
SUBSECTION, s. A subdivision of a larger section. L. sub, under, 

and section. 
SUBSEQUENT, adj. Following. L. subsequens, part, of subsequor ; 

comp. of sub, under, or next after, and sequor, to follow. 
SUBSERVE', v. To serve in subordination ; to serve instrumental^. 

L. subservio ; sub, under, and servio, to serve. 
SUBSI'DE. v. To sink ; to fall to the bottom ; to cease. L. subsido ; 

sub, under, and sido, to perch, or settle ; or subsideo ; comp. of sub, 

under, and sedeo, to sit. 
SUBSIDIARY, adj. Assistant ; aiding. L. subsidiarius. See SUB- 

SIDY. 
SUB'SIDY. s. Aid, in a general, national, or military way. L. subsi. 

dium ; sub, under, and sedeo, to sit. 
SUB SILEN'TIO. In silence; without any notification. L. sub, 

under, silentio, abl. of silentium, silence. 
SUBSIST', v. To be ; to have existence ; to retain the present state 

or condition ; to continue. L. subsisto ; from sub, under, and sisto, 

to stand still, or stay. 
SUB'STANCE. s. Something existing ; something tangible ; the essen- 
tial part; means of life. L. substantia ; substans, part, of substo, to 

stand still : sub, under, and sto, to stand. 
SUBSTAN'TIAL. adj. Having substance ; real ; actually existing ; 

material; solid; firm; strong; durable ', moderately wealthy. See 

SUBSTANCE. 
SUBSTANTIATE, v. To prove real ; to prove, as in giving evidence. 

See SUBSTANCE. 
SUB'STANTIVE. s. A noun ; the name of a person, or of a thing, 

real or imaginary. L. subsiantivum. See SUBSTANCE. 
SUBSTITUTE, s. One person acting in the place of another ; any 

thing used instead of some other thing. L. subslitutus, p. part, of 

subsiitio ; sub, under, and statuo, to set, or place. 
SUBS IRUC'TURE. s. Foundation; that part of any building which 

is under the surface of the ground, (opposed to superstructure.) L. 

sub, under, and structure. 

v * 245 



SUB— SUD 

SUBTAN'GENT. s. In any curve, is the line which determines the 

intersection of the tangent in the axis prolonged. L. sub, under, and 

tangeus, part. o\ tango, to touch. 
SUBTEND', v. To bo exiendtd under. L. sub, under, and tendo, to 

stretch. 
SUB i ENSE'. s. That which is extended under ; the chord of an arch. 

L. sub, under, and tensus, p. part, of tendo, to stretch. 
SUBTERFLU'ENT, or SUBTER'FLUOUS. adj. Flowing unrler. L. 

subterfluens, part, of subterjluo ; subter, under, and^uo, to flow. 
SUBTERFUGE, s. A shift ; an evasion ; a trick. F. subterfuge : L. 

subter, under, and fugio, to run away. 
SUBTERRA'NEOUS, or SUBTERRA'NEAN. adj. Lying under 

(within,) the earth; placed under the earth. L. subterraneus ; from 

sub, under, and terra, the earth. 
SUBTILE, or SUBTLE, adj. Thin; not dense; vaporous; nice; 

fine; piercing; acute: — also, cunning ; artful; refined or acute be- 
yond necessity. In these senses, it is generally written subtle. L. 

subtilis, finely spun ; sub, under, (meaning in a low degree,) and 

tela, a web. 
SUBTRACT', v. To withdraw a part from the rest; to diminish ; to 

deduct, by arithmetic, a less sum from a greater, and place the re- 
mainder underneath. L. subtractum, sup. of subtraho ; sub, under, 

and traho, to draw. 
SUB'URB. s. Building without the walls of a city ; precinct. L. sub. 

urbium : sub, under, and urbs, a city. 
SUBVERSION, s. Act of subverting; state of being subverted. F. 

subversion : L. subversus, p. part, of subverto. See SUBVERT. 
SUBVERT', v. To overthrow ; to overturn ; to lurn upside down ; to 

corrupt; to confound. L. subverto ; from sub, under, and verto, to 

turn. 
SUCCEDA'NEUM. s. A substitute. L. from succedo, to follow. 
SUCCEED', v. To follow in order; to come into the place of one who 

has quitted or died ; to obtain one's desire ; to terminate prosperously, 

&c. L. succedo; sub, under, or next after, and cedo. to depart. 
SUCCESS', s. The termination of any affair, fortunate or unfortunate, 

— but often used in a happy sense, without any qualilying term. L. 

successus ; from a part, ot succedo. See SUCCEED. 
SUCCESSION, s. Act of succeeding ; regular order ; series. L. sue- 

ci'ssio ; successus, p. part, of succedo. See SUCCEED. 
SUCCINCT, adj. Concise; brief. L. succinctus, p. part, of succingo ; 

comp. of sub, under, ;>nd cingo, to gird. 
SUCCOUR, v. To aid ; to relieve. L. succurro ; sub, under, and curro, 

to run. 
SUCCULENT, adj. Juicy; moist. L. succulentus ; succus, juice. 
SrCCUMB'. v. To yield ; to sink under any difficulty. This word is 

inelegant. L. succumbo ; sub, under, and cumbo, to lie. 
SUDA'TION. s. Sweat; a sweating. ~L.suda.tio; sudo, to sweat. 
SU'DATORY. s. A sweating chamber. L. sudatorius ; from sudo, to 

sweat. 
SUDORIFTC. adj. Promoting sweat. F. sudorifique: L. sudor, sweat, 

and facio, to make. 

246 



SUF— SUF 

SUFFER, v. To bear ; to undergo ; to feel, with sense of pain ; to 

allow; to be injured. L. svffero ; sub, under, and fero, to bear. 
SUFFICE, v. To be sufficient; to satisfy. L. sujficio ; sub, under, or 

near to, and facio, to make. 
SUFFI'CIENT. adj. Equal to the proposed end ; enough ; competent; 

L. sufficiens, part, of sufficio. See SUFFICE. 
SUF FOCATE. v. To choke, or prevent respiration, by the exclusion 

or interception of air. L. suffoco ; from sub, under, and focus, a fire- 
hearth, or a fire. 
SUFFRAGAN, adj. A suffragan bishop is subject to his metropolitan 

or superior bishop. L. suffraganeus. See SUFFRAGE. 
SUFFRAGE, s. Vote ; voice given upon a controverted point. F 

suffrage : L. suffragium ; from suffero. See SUFFER. 
SUFFUS'ED. part. adj. Spread. L. suffusus, p. part, of suffundo ; sub, 

under, and /undo, to pour out. 
SUGGEST', v. To hint privately; to intimate; to propose. L. sug- 

gestinn, sup. of suggero ; comp. of sub, under, and gero, to carry. 
SUICIDE, s. Self-murder. L. suicidium ; sui, of himself or herself, 

and cades, slaughter : c&do, to kill. 
SUI GENERIS. Of its own kind ; not to be classed under any or- 

dinary description. L. gen. of suus, and genus. 
SUIT. s. A set ; a number of things corresponding one to another ; a 

petition or address of entreaty ; courtship; action at law. F. suite: 

suivre, to follow. L. secutus, part, of sequor, to follow. 
SUIT'ABLE. adj. Fitting ; according with ; agreeable. See SUIT, 

and ABLE. 
SUITE, s. Series; retinue; (pronounced sweet.) See SUIT. 
SUM. s. The whole ; many particulars conjoined, so as to form a total ; 

the result of reasoning or computation; quantity of money ; comple- 
tion ; height. L. summa : summus, highest. 
SUMMARY, adj. Containing the chief heads ; short ; brief; last ; 

immediate ; compendious. L. summarium, an abridgment. See SUM. 
SUM'MON. v. To call with authority ; to admonish to appear ; to cite ; 

to excite ; to raise. L. summoneo : sub, under [subject to a penalty,] 

and moneo, to put in mind, or warn. 
SUM' MUM BO NUM. The chief good. L. 
SUMP'TER. s. An animal which carries provisions on a journey. L. 

sumplus, p. part, of sumo, to take. 
SUMP'TUARY. adj. Relating to expense; regulating expenditures; 

promoting economy. L. sumptuarius : sumptus, expense ; from 

sutno, to take, or procure. 
SUMP'TUOUS. adj. Costly ; expensive ; splendid. L. sumptuosus ; 

sumptus, expense, from sumo, to take, or procure. 
SU'PER. In composition, denotes above, over, more than another, 

more than enough. L. 
SU'PERABLE. adj. Conquerable ; that may be overcome. L. super- 

alrilis : super, above. 
SUPER ABUN' DANCE, s. Overabundance; more than enough. L. 

super, above, and abundance. 
SUPERADD', v. To add over and above ; to add to what has been 

added. L. superaddo : super, above, and addo, to add. 

247 



SUP—SUP 

SUPERANNUATED, part adj. Impaired or disqualified by age. L. 
super, above, or beyond, and annus, a year. 

SUPERB', adj. Grand ; pompous; splendid. L. superhus ; from super, 
above. 

SUPERCAR'GO. s, A person sent in a ship, to superintend the dis- 
posal or purchase of the merchandise. L. super, over, and cargo. 

SUPERCILIOUS, adj. Haughty ; dogmatical ; dictatorial ; arbitrary ; 
overbearing. L. superciliosus, of a sour countenance ; from super- 
cilium, the brow. 

SUPEREROGATION, s. Performance of more than duty requires. 
L. super, beyond, or above, and erogatio, a bestowing ; from erogo ; 
com p. of e, from, and rogo, to ask. 

SURERFI'CIAL. adj. Lying on the surface ; not reaching below the 
surface ; shallow ; not profound ; insufficient ; smattering ; not 
learned. F. superficiel. See SUPERFICIES. 

SUPERFI'CIES. s. Outside ; surface. L. comp. of super, above, and 
fades, a face. 

SUPERFI'NE. adj. Eminently fine. L. super, above, and fine. 

SUPER'FLUOUS. adj. Exuberant ; more than enough ; unnecessary. 
L. superjluus, flowing over : super, over, and^uo, to flow. 

SUPERGLA'CIAL. adj. Resting on ice. L. super, above, and glacies, 
ice. 

SUPERINCUM'BENT. adj. Lying on the top. L. super, above, and 
incumbent. 

SUPERINDU'CE. v. To bring in as an addition ; to bring in some- 
thing extrinsic. L. super, over, and induce. 

SUPERINTEND', v. To oversee ; to conduct. L. super, over, and 
intend. 

SUPE'RIOR. adj. Higher; greater in dignity or excellence; upper; 
(with to,) not to be conquered or overcome by. L. com par. of super, 
or supra, above. 

SUPERLATIVE, adj. Implying or expressing the highest degree; 
superior; paramount. L. superlativus : superlatus, p. part, of super- 
fern : super, beyond, or above, and fero, to carry. 

SUPERNATANT, adj. Swimming above ; floating. L. supernatans, 
part, of supernato ; comp. of super, above, and nato, to swim. 

SUPERNATURAL, adj. Above the powers of nature ; unusual. L. 
super, above, and natural. 

SUPERSE'DE. v. To make void or inefficacious by superior power; 
to set aside ; to displace. L. supersedeo : super, over, and sedeo, to 
sit. 

SUPERSTITION, s. Unnecessary fear or scruples in religion ; ob- 
servance of unnecessary and uncommanded rites or practices; false 
religion or worship ; too scrupulous exactness. L. superstitio : super, 
beyond, or above, and sto, to stand. 

SUPERSTRUCTURE, s. That which is built or raised upon some- 
thing else ; that which is raised above the surface of the ground : 
(opposed to substructure.) L. super, above, and structure. 

SUPERVENE, v. To come as an extraneous addition. L. supervenio ; 
super, above, or besides, and venio, to come. 

SUPERVENTION, s. Act of supervening. L. superventus, p. part. 
of supervenio. See SUPERVENE. 

248 



SUP— SUR 

SUPERVTSE. v. To oversee ; to examine the general conduct or ac- 
counts of others. L. super, over, and visum, sup. of video, to see. 

SUPPLANT', v. To displace by stratagem ; to overcome. L. sup- 
planto ; from sub, under, and planla, the foot. 

SUPPLE, adj. Pliant; flexible; flattering; fawning. L. supplex : 
sub, under, and plico, to fold. 

SUP'PLE.VIENT. s. Addition to any thing, by which its defects are 
supplied. L. supplementum : suppleo, to fill up. 

SUP'PLIANT. adj. Humbly entreating; praying; submissive. F. 
suppliant: L. supplicans, part, of supplier). See SUPPLICATE. 

SUP PLICATE, v. To entreat ; to implore ; to petition submissively 
and humbly. L. supplico, to beg on one's knees: sub, under, and 
plico, to fold [the hands.] 

SUPPLY', v. To fill up, as any deficiencies happen ; to give some- 
thing wanted ; to serve instead of; to bring ; to furnish. L. suppleo : 
sub, under, or near to, and pleo, to fill. 

SUPPORT', v. To sustain ; to prop ; to bear up ; to endure ; to aid ; 
to defend ; to supply with the necessaries of liie. L. supporto : sub, 
under, and porto, to carry, or bear. 

SUPPO SE. v. To advance, by way of argument or illustration, with- 
out maintaining the truth of the position; to admit without proof; 
to conjecture ; to imagine. F. supposer : L. suppositus, p. part, of 
suppono : sub, under, and pono, to place. 

SUPPOSI'TION. s. Act of supposing ; thing supposed. F. supposi- 
tion. See SUPPOSE. 

SUPPRESS', v. To crush ; to overpower ; to subdue ; to conceal ; to 
withhold. L. suppressum, sup. of supprimo : sub, under, and premo, 
to press. 

SUP'P URATE, v. To generate pus or matter ; to be in a state of dis- 
charging matter. L. suppuro : sub, under, and pus, (puris,) cor- 
rupted matter. 

SUPREM'ACY. s. Highest place ; highest authority ; state of being 
supreme. See SUPREME. 

SUPRE'ME. adj. Highest in authority or dignity; chief. L. su- 
premus, superlative of super, or supra, above. 

SURCHARGE', s. Additional charge; additional quantity. F. sur, 
(L. super,) over, and charge. 

SUR'CINGLE. s. Exterior girth ; that which binds down a saddle, by 
passing over it and the ordinary girths; the girdle of a cassock. F. 
sur, (L. super,) over, and L. cingula, a girth : cingo, to gird. 

SURE. adj. Certain; infallible; confident; safe ; firm. F. sur: L. 
securus : se, denoting separation or absence, and cura, care. 

SUR'FACE. s. Superficies ; outside. F. sur, (L. super,) above, and 
face. 

SURFEIT, s. Sickness or satiety, caused by over-fulness or repeti- 
tion. F. from sur, over, and fait, past part, of faire, to do: L. super, 
and facio. 

SURGE, s. A rough, swelling sea; a billow; a foaming wave. L. 
surgo, to arise. 

SUR GEON. s. One who cures by manual operation. F. chirurgeon, 
or chirurgien : G. cheir, the hand, and ergon, work. 

SURMI'SE. v. To suspect ; to imagine imperfectly ; to conjecture. 

241) 



SUR— SUS 

F. surmise: svr, over, upon, or towards, (L. super,) and L. mitto, to 
send, or put forth. 

SURMOUNT', v. To rise above ; to conquer ; to overcome. F. sur- 
monter ; comp. of sur, above, and monter, to get up, or rise : L. su- 
per, above, and mons, a mountain. 

SURNAME, s. Additional name ; family name ; the name which a 
person has besides his Christian name. F. sur, (L. super,) over, and 
name. 

SUR'PLICE. s. The outer, or white gown, worn by some ministers 
of religion, during a part of the church-service. F. surplis : sur, 
over, and plisser, to fold : L. super, and plico. 

SUR'PLUS. s. Supernumerary or extra part; superabundant remain- 
der. F. sur, over, and plus, more : L. super, and plus. 

SURPRISE, v. To take unawares ; to attack unexpectedly ; to asto- 
nish by something wonderful ; to confuse or perplex by something 
sudden. F. surpris, p. part, of surprendre : L. super, over, and 
prendo, to take, or lay hold on. 

SURRENDER, v. To yield ; to deliver to another ; to resign. F. sur- 
rendre : L. sub, under, and F. rendre, to return. 

SURREPTITIOUS, adj. Done by stealth ; obtained or produced fraud- 
ulently. L. surreptitius : surrepo : sub, under, and repo, to creep. 

SUR'ROGATE. s. A deputy; the deputy of an ecclesiastical judge. 
L. surrogatus, p. part, of surrogo : sub, under, and rogo, to demand, 
or inquire. 

SUR TOUT', s. A large coat worn over all the rest. F. comp. of sur, 
over, and lout, all. 

SUR'VEILLANCE. s. Overseeing ; overlooking ; having an eye upon. 
F. surveiller, to oversee. 

SURVEY', v. To look over; to view as from a higher place; to ex- 
amine; to measure the contents, and ascertain the relative position 
of lands, &c. Old F. surveoir : sur, (L. super,) over, and voir, to 
see. 

SURVI'VE. v. To outlive, or live after the death of another ; to live 
after any thing. F. survivre : L. super, beyond, and vivo, to live. 

SUSCEP'TIBLE. adj. Capable of receiving or admitting ; subject to 
receive or admit. F. susceptible : L. susceptus, p. part, of suscipio ; 
comp. of sub, under, and capio, to take. 

SUS'CITATE. v. To rouse ; to excite. L. suscito, to awake ; from 
sub, under, and cito, to call. 

SUSPECT', v. To imagine, with a degree of fear and jealousy, what 
is not known ; to suppose guilty, without proof; to conjecture ; to 
doubt. L. suspectum, sup. of suspicio : sub, under, and specio, to 
behold. 

SUSPEND', v. To hang; to make to stop for a while; to delay; to 
debar for a time from the execution of an office, or the enjoyment of 
a revenue. L. suspendo : sub, under, and pendeo, to hang up. 

SUSPENSE', s. Uncertainty; doubt; delay. F. suspens : L. suspen- 
sus, p. p.irt. of suspendo. See SUSPEND. 

SUSPENSION, s. Act of suspending; state of being: suspended. L. 
suspensio : suspensus, p. part, of suspendo. See SUSPEND. 

SUSPICION, s. Act of suspecting; state of being suspected. L. sus- 
picio. See SUSPECT. 

250 



SUS-SYN 

SUSTAIN', v. To bear; to prop; to support; to endure; to suffer 
without yielding. L. sustineo : sub, under, and teneo, to hold. 

SUSTENANCE, s. Support; maintenance; food. F. soustenance : 
L. sustinens, part, of sustin-eo. See SUSTAIN. 

SYCOPHANT, s. A deceitful parasite ; a designing flatterer ; a mean, 
insinuating fellow. L. sychophanta : G. suko pliant es : suke, a fig, 
and phao, to tell. " By a law of Solon," says Plutarch, " no produc- 
tion of the Attican binds, except oil, was allowed to be sold to stran- 
gers, — and, therefore, it is not improbable, what some affirm, that 
the exportation of jigs was formerly forbidden, and. that the informer 
against the delinquents was called a sycophant." 

SYL'LABLE. s. A sound, pronounced by a single impulse of the 
voice, and constituting a word, or part of a word. L. syllaba: G. 
sullabe : sullambano, to contain : suji, with, and lambano, to take. 

SYL'LABUS. s. An abstract; a compendium, containing the heads 
of a discourse. G. sullabos : sullambano, to contain : sun, with, and 
lambano, to take. 

SYL'LOGISM. s. An argument composed of three propositions: as, 
Everyman thinks; Henry is a man; therefore, Henry thinks. L. 
syllogismus : G. sullogis7nos : sun, with, and logos, reason. 

SYL' VAN, or SILVAN, adj. Woody ; shady ; relating or pertaining 
to woods. L. sylva, or silva, a wood. 

SYM'BOL. s. A comprehensive form ; a type ; a figurative represen- 
tation ; a sign. L. symbolum : G. sumbolon ; from sumballo, to bring 
together : sun, with, and ballo, to throw. 

SYMMETRY, s. Harmony of parts; proportion. L. symmetria : G. 
sun, with, and metron, measure. 

SYMPATHETTC. adj. Having mutual sensation ; feeling in conse- 
quence of what another feels ; producing an effect by having some 
relative quality. F. sympathetique. See SYMPATHY. 

SYM'PATHY. s. Mutual sensibility; fellow feeling ; the quality of 
being affected by the affection of another. F. sympathie : G. sumpa- 
theia ; sun, with, and pathos, passion : pascho, to suffer. 

SYM'PHONY. s. Harmony of sound ; that part of a tune, composed 
in the same style, which is sung or played before or after the main 
part, or in the intervals. L. symphonia : G. sun, with, and phone, a 
sound. 

SYM'PHYSIS. s. Act of growing together ; union of two bones ; a 
mode of membral articulation, in which there is no motion. G. sun, 
with, and phuo, to grow. 

SYMPTOM, s. That which happens with something else ; a sign. F. 
symptone : G. sumptoma ; comp. of sun, with, and pipto, to fall. 

SYNAGOGUE, s. A religious assembly of Jews; a Jewish place of 
worship. F. synogogue : G. sunagoge ; sun, with, and ago, to lead, 
or bring. 

SYNALE'PHA. s. A contraction or excision of a syllable, in scanning 
Latin verse: as, ilVet, for ille et. G. sunaloiphe ; sun, with, and 
aleipho, to mix. 

SYNARTHROSIS, s. A close conjunction of two bones. G. sun, 
with, and arthro-o, to form. 

SYNCHONDROSIS, s. A union, by gristles, of the sternon to the 
ribs. G. sun, with, and chondros, a cartilage. 

251 



SYN— TAB 

SYNCHRONIC, or SYNCHRON'ICAL. adj. Happening at the same 

time. G. sun, with, and chronos, time. 
SYN'COPE. s. Fainting fit ; contraction of a word, by cutting off a 

part in the middle. F. syncopie : G. sunkope ; sun, with, and kopto, 

to cut. 
SYN'DIC. s. The chief magistrate of a corporation, or of a commu- 
nity. G. sundikos ; sun, with, and dike, justice. 
SYNECDOCHE, s. A figure,' by which a part is substituted for the 

whole, or the whole for a part. G. sunekdoke ; comp. of sun, with, 

ek, out of, and dechomai, to take. 
SYN'OD. s. An assembly, particularly of ecclesiastics. L. synodus : 

G. sunodos ; sun, with, and odos, a way. 
SYNON'YMOUS. adj. Expressing the same thing ; of the same mean- 
ing. G. sunonumos ; sun, with, and onuma, or onoma, a name. 
SYNOP'SIS. s. A general view ; all the parts brought under one view. 

G. sunopsis ; sun, with, and ops, a view. 
SYNTHESIS, s. The act of joining; the act of forming a compound 

body by the union of elements : opposed to analysis. G. sunthesis : 

sun, with, and tithemi, to put. 
SYNTHETIC, adj. Conjoining ; compounding : opposed to analytic. 

G. sunlhetikos. See SYNTHESIS. 
SYRINGE, s. An instrument for squirting liquids. G. suringx, {fis- 
tula,) a pipe. 
SYRINGOT'OMY. s. The act or practice of cutting fistulas or hollow 

sores. G. suringx, (fistula,) a pipe, and temno, to cut. 
SYR'TIS. s. A quick-sand, or shelf of sand, caused by the motion of 

a whirlpool ; a bog. L. syrtis : G. surtis, a whirlpool : from suro, 

to draw. 
SYS'TEM. s. Combination of many things acting together ; a scheme 

which reduces many things to regular dependence or co-operation ; 

organization; scheme; mode. F. systeme : G. sustema ; sun, with, 

and istemi, to stand. 
SYS'TOLE. s. In anatomy, the contraction of the heart ; in grammar, 

the shortening of a long syllable. F. systole : G. sustole ; sun, with, 

and stello, to draw together. 
SYS'TYLE. s. A building, in which the pillars stand near together. 

G. sun, with, and stulos, a pillar. 

T. 

TAB'ERNACLE. s. A temporary habitation ; a sacred place ; a place 

of worship. L. tabernaculum, a little house made of boards ; from 

tabula, a board. 
TAB'ID. adj. Wasted by disease ; consumptive. L. tabidus ; tabeo, 

to consume. 
TA'BLE. s. Any flat or level surface ; a flat board, stone, &c. used 

for meals and other purposes ; a tablet ; a surface on which any 

thing is written or engraved ; an index ; a catalogue ; a synopsis, 

&,c. F. table : L. tabula, a board, or table. 
TA'BLE D'HO' TE. A public table ; table of an inn. F. table, a 

table, de, of, hote, an innkeeper. 

252 



TAB— TAU 

TAB'ULAR. adj. Delineated or described in the form of tables, or a 
synopsis. L. labularis. See TABLE. 

TAB'ULATED. adj. Tabular; having flat surfaces. See TABLE. 

TACTT. adj. Silent ; implied ; not expressed by words. L. tacitus : 
from taceo, to be silent. 

TACITURNITY, s. Habitual silence. L. taciturnitas. See TACIT. 

TACT. s. Technical character ; something which marks a particular 
trnde or profession. L. tactus, p. part, of tango, to touch. 

TACTICS, s. The science or art of arranging armies and fleets for 
battle. G. taktike : tasso, to put in order. 

TJE'DIUM VI'TM. Weariness of life. L, 

TAIL. s. In law, the term fee-tail signifies any truncated or mutilated 
inheritance, cut out of the fee-simple. F. tailler, to cut. 

TAI'LOR. s. One whose business is to make clothes. F. tailleur : 
tailler, to cut. 

TAINT, v. To stain or sully [the reputation ;] to infect ; to corrupt ; 
to putrefy. F.teindre, to dye. 

TAL'ENT. s. A talent anciently signified a certain weight, or a sum 
of money ; the value differing, in different ages and countries. By a 
metaphor, taken from the talents mentioned in the New Testament, 
Matt. xxv. 15, the term is now used to express faculty, power, or gift 
of nature. L. talentum. 

TAL'LY. s. A stick, notched in conformity with another stick, with 
the units of an account ; a single notch or mark of any sort, to re- 
present one. F. taille : from tailler, to cut. 

TAL'LY. v. To fit ; to be suitable ; to conform ; to mark one. From 
the substantive. 

TAN'GENT. s. A right line, perpendicularly raised on the extremity 
of a radius, and touching a circle, so as not to cut it. F. tangent : 
L. tangens, part, of tango, to touch. 

TAN'GIBLE. adj. Perceptible by the touch ; possible to be realized, 
so as to be made a subject of inquiry. L. tango, to touch. • 

TANGLE, v. See ENTANGLE. 

TAN'TALIZE. v. To torment by a show of pleasure, which cannot 
be readied. Derived from Tantalus, a king of Lydia ; who is re- 
presented, by the poets, as punished in hell by an insatiable thirst, 
and placed up to his chin in a pool of water, which flows away as 
soon as he attempts to taste it. 

TANTAMOUNT, adj. Equivalent. F. tantamount; tant, as^much 
as, and monter, to mount, or go up. 

TAP'IS. s. "On the tapis," — on the carpet; having become the sub- 
ject of debate. F. 

TAR'DY. adj. Slow ; sluggish. L. tardus ; from tardo, to stop. 

TARTA'REAN. adj. Hellish. L. tartarus: G. tartar os ; from tarasso, 
to trouble. 

TAU'RUS. s. A sign of the zodiac. L. taurus, a bull. 

TAUTOL'OGY. s. Unnecessary and disagreeable repetition of the 
same words, or of the same sense, in different words. G. tautologia ; 
tautos, the same, and logos, a word. 

TAUTOPH'ONY. s. Frequent and disagreeable repetition of the same 
sound ; monotony. G. tautos, the same, and phone, a sound. 
w 253 



TAV— TEN 

TAVERN, s. An inn. or, rather, a house in which refreshments are 
sold. F. taverne : L. taberna, a small house made of boards : tabula, 
a board. 

TECHNICAL, adj. Belonging to arts ; pertaining to some mechani- 
cal or professional business, and therefore not commonly understood. 
G. technikos ; from techne, an art. 

TECHNOL OGY. s. A description of arts ; a treatise on mechanics. 
G. techne, art, and logos, a word, or description. 

TECTON'IC. adj. Pertaining to building. G. tektoniko/t ; tekton, a 
builder. 

TE DE'UM. s. A particular hymn, so called because it begins with 
the words, Te Deum laudamus, we praise thee, God : — tu Deus 
laudo. 

TE'DIOUS. adj. Wearisome by continuance, or by reason of prolixity ; 
slow. L. t&dium, weariness. 

TEG'UMENT. s. In anatomy, a cover. L. iegumentum ; tego, to 
cover. 

TEL'EGRAPH. s. An instrument which answers the purpose of 
writing, by conveying intelligence to a distance, by means of signals. 
G. tele, far off, and grapho, to write. 

TEL'ESCOPE. s. An optical tube for viewing distant objects. G. tele, 
far off, and skopeo, to view. 

TEMER'ITY. s. Rashness ; unreasonable contempt of danger. L. 
temeritas ; from temno, to despise. 

TEM'PER. v. To mix, so as that one part qualifies another ; to bring 
to due proportion ; to moderate ; to form metals to a proper degree 
of hardness. L. temper o ; from temporis, gen. of ternpus, time, a 
convenience, suitableness to the time present, &c. 

TEM'PER. s. Due mixture of different or contrary qualities ; consti- 
tution of body ; disposition of mind ; frame of mind ; moderation; 
state to which metals are reduced, particularly as to hardness. See 
the verb. 

TEM'PERATE. adj. Not excessive ; moderate. L. temperatus, part, 
of tempero. See TEMPER. 

TEM'PEST. s. Extreme violence of wind; an excessively destructive 
storm ; tumult ; perturbation. L. tempeslas, time, season, weather, 
boisterous weather: from tempus, time. 

TEM'PORAL. adj. Measured by time; not eternal; secular; not ec- 
clesiastical ; worldly ; not spiritual. L. temporalis ; temporis, gen. 
of tempos, time. 

TEMTORARY. adj. Lasting or continuing only a limited time: op- 
posed to permanent. L. temporarius ; temporis, gen. of tempus, 
time. 

TEMPT, v. To incite, by presenting some pleasure or advantage ; to 
entice ; to provoke. L. tentus, p. part, oftento, to stretch, or try. 

TEN'ABLE. adj. Such as may be held against attacks ; such as may 
be maintained against opposition. F. tenable : L. teneo, to hold fast. 

TENACIOUS, adj. Adhesive; inclined to hold fast; retentive; ob- 
stinate. L. tenax ; teneo, to hold fast. 

TENACITY, s. Adhesiveness; glutinosity ; retentiveness ; obstinacy. 
F. ienacite : L. tenacitas ; teneo, to hold. 

TEN'ANCY. s. Possession as a tenant. See TENANT. 

254 



TEN— TEP 

TEN' ANT. s. One that holds by the authority of another ; one that 

has temporary possession of lands, &c. under a landlord. F. tenant: 

L. tenens, part, ot'teneo, to hold. 
TEND. v. To move towards ; to be directed to any end or purpose ; 

to contribute ; to nurse, or guard. L. tendo, to stretch out. 
TEN'DENCE, or TEN'DENCY. s. Motion or direction towards ; in- 

clination towards. L. tendens, part, of tendo. See TEND. 
TENDER, adj. Soft; easily impressed or injured ; delicate; sensitive; 

compassionate ; gentle. F. tendre : L. tendo, to stretch out, spread, 

or bend. 
TEN'DER. v. To offer; to propose for acceptance, s. an offer, or pro- 
posal. F. tendre : L. tendo, to stretch out. 
TENDINOUS, adj. Sinewy ; containing tendons. L. tendinis. See 

TENDON. 
TEN'DON. s. A sinew ; a ligature, by which the joints are stretched 

out, or contracted. F. tendon : L. tendo, to stretch out. 
TEN'DRIL. s. The clasp of a vine, or other climbing plant. F. ten- 

drillon : L. tendo, to stretch out. 
TEN'EBROUS. adj. Dark ; gloomy. L. tenebrosus ; tenelrce, dark- 
ness. 
TEN'EMENT. s. Any thing held by a tenant. F. tenement : L. tene- 

mentum ; teneo, to hold. 
TEN'ET. s. Principle ; position. L. teneo, to hold. 
TEN'ON. s. The end of a piece of timber, cut so as to be fitted into 

another piece. F. tenon : L. teneo, to hold. 
TEN' OR, or TENOUR. s. Continuity of state; constant mode; gene- 
ral currency ; meaning ; design ; also, a term in music. L. tenor ; 

from teneo, to hold. 
TENSE, adj. Stretched ; tight. L. tensus, p. part, of tendo, to stretch 

out. 
TENSE, s. In grammar, the variation of a verb, to signify time. F. 

temps: L. lemptis, time. 
TENSILE, adj. Capable of being stretched, or extended. L. tensilis. 

See TENSE. 
TENSION, s. Act of stretching or extending; state of being stretched 

or extended. F. tension. See TENSE. 
TENT. s. A moveable lodging-place or cabin, commonly made by 

stretching canvass over poles. F. tente : L. tentorium ; from tendo, 

to stretch. 
TEN'TER. s. A hook on which things are stretched. L. tentus, p. 

part, of tendo, to stretch. 
TENUITY, s. Thinness; smallness. F. tenuite : L. lenuitas : tenuis, 

slender : from teneo, to hold ; that is, to hold easily. 
TENUOUS, adj. Thin ; small. L. tenuis ; from teneo, to hold ; that 

is, to be held easily. 
TENURE, s. The conditions on which tenements are held, in relation 

to the service to be rendered, extent of the lease, amount of rent, 

mode of payment, &c. ;, period or conditions of holding things in 

general. F. tenure : L. teneo, to hold. 
TEPEF ACTION, s. The act of moderately warming. L. tepefactus, 

p. part, of tepefacio : tepidus, (from tepeo,) moderately warm, and 

facio, to make. 

255 



TEP-TES 

TEPTD. adj. Moderately warm : L. tepidus ; from tepeo, to be mode- 

rately warm. 
TERGIVERSATION, s. Change: fickleness. L. tergiversatio : ter- 

gu?n, the back, and verso, (from verto y ) to turn often. 
TERM. s. Limit; a word having a specific or limited meaning ; appel- 
lation ; condition; stipulation; period; time of being assembled for 

the transaction of business. L. terminus, a boundary. 
TER'MINATE. v. To limit ; to end ; to stop. L. termino. See 

TERM. 
TERMINOL'OGY. s. A description or explanation of technical words. 

L. terminus. 
TER'NARY. adj. Proceeding by threes ; consisting of three. L. ter- 

narius ; from ties, three. 
TER'RACE. s. A small mount of earth, covered with grass ; a balco- 
ny ; an open gallery. F. terrace : L. terra, earth. 
TERRA'QUEOUS. adj. Composed of land and water. L. terra, land, 

and aqua, water. 
TERRE'NE. adj. Earthly ; terrestrial. L. terrenus : terra, the earth. 
TERRESTRIAL, adj. Earthly; not celestial. L. terrestris : terra, 

the earth. 
TER'RIER. s. A dog that follows his game under ground. F. terrier : 

L. terra, the earth. 
TERRIFTC. adj. Dreadful ; causing terror. L. terrijicus : terror, 

terror, and facio, to make. 
TER'RITOR Y. s. Land ; dominion ; district. L. territorium : terra, 

land. 
TERROR, s. Fear ; dread. L. terror : lerreo, to affright. 
TERSE, adj. Neat ; elegant ; without pompousness. F. ters : L. tersus, 

p. part, of tergeo, to make clean. 
TERTIAN, adj. A tertian fever intermits every third day. L. ter- 

tiana : lertius, the third : tres, three. 
TERTIARY, adj. Relating to third formation, &c. L. tertius, the 

third. 
TES'SELATED. adj. Variegated by squares. L. tessella, a small 

square stone, or piece of wood, &c. G. tessara, four : (a square has 

four sides.) 
TEST. s. Proof; trial, or examination. F. test : L. testis, a witness. 
TESTA'CEOUS. adj. Consisting of shells ; composed of shells: having 

continuous, not jointed shells. L. testaceus : testa, a shell-fish. 
TESTAMENT, s. Evidence of a will, or intention, as to the disposal 

of property after death ; evidence of Divine revelation and command. 

ments, contained in the sacred volumes, called the Old and New 

Testaments. F. testament: L. testamentum : testis, a witness. 
TESTAMENTARY, adj. Given by testament or will ; contained in 

a will. See TESTAMENT. 
TESTATE, adj. Having made a will. L. testatus, part, of testor, to 

bear witness : from testis, a witness. 
TESTATOR, s. One who has made a will. L, from testis, a witness. 
TESTIFY, v. To witness ; to give evidence. F. testifier : L. tesiiji- 

cor : comp. of testis, a witness, and facio, to make. 
TESTIMONY, s. Evidence given ; proof by witness. L. testimonium ; 

testis, a witness, and moneo, to put in mind. 

256 



TES— THE 

TESTU'DINOUS. adj. Resembling the shell of a tortoise. L. icsiu. 

dineus ; from testudo, a tortoise. 
TETA'NUS. s. A contraction ; a kind of stiffness or rigidity in any 

part of the body. G. letanos : teino, to stretch. 
TETE A TETE. "Head to head;" a familiar discourse. F. 
TETRAG'ONAL. adj. Square ; consisting of four sides and angles. 

G. tetra, four, and gonia, a corner. 
TETRAMETER, adj. Consisting of four poetical measures. G. te- 

trametros : tetra, four, and me.tr eo, to measure. 
TETRAN'DRIA. s. A genus of plants with hermaphrodite flowers 

and four male stamina. G. tetra, four, and aner, a male. 
TETRAPET'ALOUS. adj. Having four leaves around the style. G. 

tetra, four, and petalon, a leaf. 
TET'RAPLA. s. A bible in four columns, by Origen, each column 

containing a different Greek version. G. tetraplobs, fourfold. 
TET'RAPTOTE. s. A noun with only four cases. G. tetra, four, and 

ptosis, a case. 
TET'RARCH. adj. One who governed the fourth part of a Roman 

province. L. tetrarcha : G. tetrarches : tetra, four, and archos, a 

chief. * 

TETRAS'TIC. s. An epigram or stanza of four verses. G. tetrasti- 

chos : tetra, four, and stichos, a verse. 
TET'RASTYLE. s. A building with four columns in front ; a build- 

ing with four pillars on a side. G. tetra, four, and stulos, a pillar. 
TEXT. s. That on which a comment is written or spoken ; a sentence 

of scripture. F. texte : L. textus, p. part, of texo, to weave, or build. 
TEX'TILE. adj. Woven ; capable of being woven. L. textilis ; textus, 

p. part, of texo, to weave. 
TEX'TURE. s. Something woven ; manner of weaving ; combination 

of parts. L. textura ; textus, p. part, of texo, to weave. 
THE'ATRE. s. A place of exhibition ; a playhouse. F. theatre ; L. 

theatrum : G. theatron ; from fkeaomai, to behold. 
THE' 1ST. s. One who believes in God. G. Tkeos, God. 
THEME, s. A subject on which a person speaks or writes; a short 

scholastic dissertation ; the radical, or original word from which 

another is derived. G. thema ; from tkeo, \pono,) to place, or lay 

down. 
THEOCRACY, s. Government immediately superintended by God. 

F. theocratie ; G. Theos, God, and krateo, to govern. 
THEOG'ONY. s. Fabulous generation of the gods. G. theogonia ; 

theos, a god, and gone, offspring. 
THEOL'OGY. s. The science of divinity. G. theologia ; Theos, God, 

and logos, a description. 
THEOPHILAN'THROPIST. s. A lover of God and man. G. Theos, 

God, philo, a lover, and anthropos, a man. 
THE'OREM. s. A position laid down as an acknowledged truth. G. 

theorema ; then, (pono,) to place, or lay down. 
THEORETIC, or THEORETICAL, adj. Speculative ; depending on 

theory or speculation ; not practical. G. theoretikos. See THEORY. 
THE'ORY. s. Speculation ; knowledge obtained by looking on, or 

from books, not from practice ; scheme or plan. G. theoreia ; from 

theoreo, to view. 

r* 257 



THE— TOP 

THERAPEU'TIC. adj. Teaching the cure of diseases. G. therapeu> 

tikos ; therapeuo, to heal. 
THERMOMETER, s. An instrument for measuring degrees of heat. 

G. ther?ne, heat, and metreo, to measure. 
THE'SIS. s. A position ; something laid down, either affirmatively or 

negatively. G. thesis ; tithemi, (pono,) to place, or lay down. 
THORACIC, adj. Belonging to the breast. L. thoracis, gen. of tho- 
rax, the inner part of the breast. G. thorax. 
THO'RAL. adj. Relating to a bed. L. thorus, ovtforos, twisted grass 

or straw, on which the ancients laid their bed-furniture, for the con- 

venience of sleeping. G. toros, a rope. 
THRONE, s. A royal seat; the seat of a bishop. L. thronus : G. 

thronos ; from thrao, to sit. 
TIM'ID. adj. Fearful ; timorous ; wanting courage. L. timidus ; 

timeo, to fear. 
TIMOROUS, adj. Fearful; timid. L.timor, fear. 
TINCTURE, s. Portion of extrinsic quality ; extract of some drug, 

made in spirits. L. tinctura ; tinctus, p. part, of tingo, to dye. 
TINGE, v. To touch lightly with a colour ; to affect lightly with some 

quality. L. tingo ; G. tengo, to sprinkle. 
TINT. s. Delicate shade of colour. F. teinte : L. tinctus, p. part, of 

tingo, to dye. See TINGE. 
TITLE, s. A general head, comprising particulars ; an appellation 

of honour; a name ; a claim of right. L. titulus. 
TIT'ULAR. adj. Nominal ; having or conferring only the title. F. 

titulaire. See TITLE. 
TOAST, s. Bread, scorched before a fire, and generally eaten with 

butter, but sometimes sopped or immersed in a liquor for drinking; 

a celebrated woman, whose health is often drunk ; any person or 

sentiment expressed before drinking. L. tostus, p. part, of torreo, to 

roast, or scorch. 
TOGA VIR1LIS. "The manly robe;" the dress assumed by the 

Roman youth, on reaching a certain period of life. L. toga, a gown, 

or robe, and virilis, (from vir,) manly. 
TOMB. s. A sepulchral monument, or grave, anciently marked by a 

heap of earth or stones. F. tombe : L. tumulus, a little hill ; from 

tumeo, to swell. 
TOMETTCA. s. Medicines for opening the pores, and dispersing 

viscous humours. G. temno, to cut. 
TON. s. Fashion. F. 

TON'SOR. s. A barber. L. ionsor ; tonsus, p. part, of tondco, to clip. 
TON'SURE. s. The act of clipping or shaving the hair ; the part 

shaven. F. tonsure : L. tonsura ; tonsus, p. part, of tondeo, to clip. 
TOP' ARCH. s. The chief man of a place ; a lord or governor of a 

small country. G. topos, a place, and archos, a chief. 
TOPTC. s. Subject of discourse ; a general head, to which other things 

are referred ; an external remedy, applied to some particular part. 

F. topique : G. topos, a place. 
TOPTCAL. adj. Relating to some general head ; local ; confined to 

some particular place; applied, as a remedy, to some particular part 

See TOPIC. 

258 



TOP— TRA 

TOPOG'RAPHY. s. Description of particular places. F.iopograpkie : 

G. topos, a place, and grapho, to write. 
TORNA'DO. s. A whirlwind; a hurricane. Spanish; from the L. 

tornatus, p. part, of tomo, to turn as a wheel. G. torno-o. 
TORPE'DO. s. A fish, which, when living, is said to communicate 

numbness by an electric shock ; a submarine engine, invented by 

Robert Fulton of Pennsylvania, for destroying an enemy's ships. L. 

torpedo ; torpeo, to be numbed. 
TORPES'CENT. #dj. Becoming torpid. L. torpescens, part, of tor- 

pesco, to grow numb, 
TORPID, adj. Benumbed; motionless; inactive. L. torpidus. See 

TORPOR. 
TOR'POR. s. Numbness; inability to move; dulness of sensation. L. 

torpor ; from torpeo, to be numb. 
TORREFAC'TION. s. Act of roasting, or drying by the fire. F. tor. 

refaction : L. torrefactus, p. part, of torrefacio ; comp. of torreo, to 

roast, and facio, to make. 
TOR'RID. adj. Parched ; scorching. L. torridus ; from torreo, to 

roast. 
TORT. s. A wrong committed ; an injury. F. tort : L. tortus, p. part. 

of torqueo, to twist. 
TORTIOUS, adj. Wrongful ; injurious. See TORT. 
TOR'TUOUS. adj. Twisted ; winding. L. tortuosus ; tortus, p. part 

of torqueo, to writhe. 
TORTURE, s. Infliction of pain ; pain, by which guilt is punished, 

or confession extorted ; extreme pain. L. tortura ; torturus, (future 

part, of torqueo,) about to writhe. 
TO'TAL. adj. Whole; complete; full. L. totalis; tot, so many, just 

so much. 
TOT IDEM VERBIS. In just so many words. L. 
TOUPET. s. A little tuft of hair. F. from toupier, to whirl about. 
TOUR. s. A journey, comprehending many places, and requiring va- 
rious turnings. F. from tourner, to turn, or wind around : L. tomo. 
TOURNAMENT, s. Tilt ; joust; mock encounter. F. tournoyement: 

tournoyer, tourner, to whirl about. L. tomo. 
TOUR'NIQUET. s. A surgical instrument, used in amputation, &c. 

capable of being straitened or relaxed by turning a handle. F. from 

tourner, to turn. 
TRACE, s. Mark left by any thing passing ; appearance of what has 

been ; harness by which a beast draws a carriage, &c. (verb, — to 

follow by the trace or remaining mark ; to delineate, &c.) F. trace. 

See TRACK. 
TRACK, s. Trace ; mark impressed on a road, by any thing drawn 

over it; impression; beaten path. L. tractus ; from the p. part, of 

traho, to draw. 
TRACT, s. A region, the boundaries of which are supposed to be 

traced out, or defined ; a treatise ; a small book. L. tractus ; from 

a part, of traho, to draw. 
TRACTABLE, adj. Manageable; docile; compliant. L. tractabilis : 

tractus, p. part, ot traho, to draw. 
TRACTILE, adj. Capable of being drawn out; ductile. See TRACT- 

ABLE. 

259 



TRA-TRA 

TRACTION, s. Act of drawing ; state of being drawn. L. tractuS, 

p. pait. of traho, to draw. 
TRADE, s. Traffic; mutual delivery or exchange of merchandise; 

species of traffic. L. trado, to deliver : comp. of trans, across, and 

do, to give. 
TRADl'TION. s. Delivery or oral communication of occurrences, 

from one age to another ; an occurrence thus communicated. L. 

traditio ; from trado, to deliver. 
TRADUCE, v. To censure, or calumniate. L. traduco: trans, across, 

and duco, to carry ; meaning, to bear about, from one to another, 

that which is unfavourable. 
TRADU'CIBLE. adj. Deliverable ; derivable. L. traduco : trans, 

across, or from one place to another, and duco, to lead. 
TRAF'FIC. v. To trade in person, or by means of an agent, abroad. 

Italian, traffico : L. trans, across, or from one place to another, and 

facio, to make, or do. 
TRAG'EDY. s. A dramatic representation of a serious and affecting 

kind; a mournful event; a dreadful catastrophe. L. tragoedia : G. 

tragodia ; from tragos, a mule-goat, and ode, a song. Tragedy, 

which has attained so high dignity, was, at first, only a trial of iam- 
bics between two peasants, and a goat was the prize: thus, Horace 

calls it, vile certamen ob hircum, — " a mean contest for a he-goat." 
TRAGTC, or TRAGICAL, adj. Relating to tragedy; mournful; ca- 
lamitous; dreadful. L. tragicus. See TRAGEDY. 
TRAIN, v. To educate; to teach; to exercise. F. trainer: L. tra- 

hendus, p. future part, of traho, to draw. 
TRAIN, s. That which is designed to be drawn after any thing, — 

as, the tail of a bird, the tail of a gown, or cannon accompanying an 

army ; a connected series, in which one thing is followed by another ; 

process ; method ; retinue ; a trail or line of powder, reaching to a 

mine, &c. F. train : L. trahendus, (to be drawn,) p. future part, of 

traho, to draw. 
TRAIT, s. Sketch ; moral picture ; moral feature ; action, or striking 

occurrence in human life, (sometimes pronounced tray.) F. trait, 

(formerly traict :) L. tr actus ; from the p. part, of traho, to draw. 
TRAITOR, s. One who c?eZiuers,to an enemy, that with which he has 

been intrusted ; one who, being trusted, betrays. F. traitre : L. tra- 

ditor : trado, to deliver, or yield. 
TRA'JECT. s. A ferry ; a means of passing across a river. L. tra- 

jectus ; from the p. part, of trajicio : trans, across, and jacio, to 

throw. 
TRAJECT'. v. To throw across ; to cast. See the substantive. 
TRAM'MEL. s. A net; a kind of shackles, in which horses are taught 

to pace; a human snare; an impediment or obstruction. F. tramail : 

L. trames, a cross way ; tramissus, p. part, of trarnitto, (for trans- 

mitto :) trans, across, and mitto, to send. 
TRANCE. See TRANSE. 
TRANSACT', v. To negotiate ; to manage ; to perform ; to do. L. 

transactum, sup. of transigo ; comp. of trans, across, or from one 

place to another, and ago, to do. 
TRANSCEND', v. To surpass ; to exceed, or excel ; to surmount. L. 

transcendo : trans, beyond, and scando, to climb. 

260 



TRA— TRA 

TRANSCRI'BE. v. To copy in writing. L. transcribo : trans, across, 
or from one place to another, and scribo, to write. 

TRANSCRIPT, s. A written copy. L. transcriptus, p. part, of trans- 
cribo. See TRANSCRIBE. 

TRANSE. s. State of apparent death ; sleep, unusually prolonged. F. 
trans : L. transitus, p. part, of transeo : trans, beyond, and eo, to go. 

TRAN'SEPT. s. A cross aisle. L. trans, across, and septus, p. part, 
of sepio, to enclose. 

TRANSFER', v. To convey ; to remove. L. transfero : trans, across, 
and/ero, to carry. 

TRANSFIGURATION, s. Change of form. L. tra nsjiguratio ; from 
transfiguro : trans, across, or from one to another, and Jiguro, to 
shape. See FIGURE. 

TRANSFIX', v. To pierce through. L. transjixum, sup. of transjigo ; 
trans, across, and Jigo, to stick, or fasten. 

TRANSFORM', v. To metamorphose ; to change the shape. L. 
transform*) : trans, across, or from one to another, and forma, shape. 

TRANSFU'SE. v. To pour out of one into another ; to spread. L. 
transfusum, sup. of transfundo : trans, across, or beyond, and fundo, 
to pour. 

TRANSGRESS', v. To pass beyond ; to violate ; to offend, by violating 
a law. L. transgressum, sup. of transgredior : trans, beyond, and 
gradior, to walk : gradus, a step. 

TRAN'SIENT. adj. Soon past ; soon passing ; momentary. L. tran- 
siens, part, of transeo: trans, across, and eo, to go. 

TRANSIL'IENCE. s. Leap from one thing to another. L. transiliens, 
part, oftransilio : trans, across, and salio, to leap. 

TRAN'SIT. s. Passage ; the passage of any planet over the sun, moon, 
or stars. L. transitus. See TRANSITION. 

TRANSI'TION. s. Removal ; passage from one state or thing to an- 
other ; change. L. transitio: transitus, part, of transeo: trans, 
across, and eo, to go. 

TRANS'ITIVE. adj. Having the power of passing ; (in grammar,) a 
verb transitive is that which signifies an action, conceived as having 
an effect upon some object. L. transitivus. See TRANSITION. 

TRANS'ITORY. adj. Continuing only a short time ; speedily vanish- 
ing. L. transitorius. See TRANSITION. 

TRANSLA'TE. v. To remove ; to convey ; to change into another 
language. L. translatum, sup. of transfero : trans, across, or from 
one to another, and fero, to carry. 

TRANSLOCATION, s. Change of place. L. trans, across, or from 
one to another, and locus, a place. 

TRANSLUCENT, or TRANSLU'CID. adj. Transparent; clear; af- 
fording a passage to the light through its pores. L. translucens, 
part, of transluceo, to shine through : comp. of trans, across, and 
luceo, to shine. Translucid is derived from translucidus. 

TRANSMARINE, adj. Situated on the other side of the sea ; found 
beyond sea. L. transmarinus : trans, across, or beyond, and mare, 
the sea. 

TRANSMIGRATION, s. Passage from one place or state into an- 
other. L. transmigratus, p. part, of transmigro ; from tians, across, 
meaning from one to another, and migro, to remove. 

261 



TRA— TRE 

TRANSMISSION, s. Act of transmitting. L. transmissio ; trans- 
missus, p. part, of transmitto. See TRANSMIT. 
TRANSMIT, v. To send from one person or place to another. L. 
transmitto : trans, across, and mitto, to send. 

TRANSMON'TANE. adj. Beyond the mountain. L. trans, across, 
and mons, a mountain. 

TRANSMU'TE. v. To change from one nature to another. L. trans- 
muto ; from trans, across, meaning from one to another, and ?nulo, 
to change. 

TRANSPARENT, adj. Allowing the light to pass through its pores ; 
clear; pellucid; not opaque. F. transparent : L. trans, across, and 
parens, part, of pareo, to appear. 

TRANSPIERCE', v. To pierce through ; to transfix. L. trans, across, 
and pierce. 

TRANSPI'RE. v. To perspire ; to escape from secrecy to publicity. 
L. transpiro : trans, across, or beyond, and spiro, to breathe. 

TRANSPLANT/ v. To remove, and plant in another place ; to re- 
move and settle. L. trans, across, or beyond, and plant. 

TRANSPORT', v. To carry from one place to another, at a consider- 
able distance; to hurry by violence of passion ; to put into extasy. 
L. transporto : trans, across, or beyond, and porto, to carry. 

TRANS'PORT. s. Conveyance ; a vessel in which soldiers or muni- 
tions of war are conveyed ; extasy. See the verb. 

TRANSPO'SE. v. To alter, interchangeably, the position of things or 
words. F. transposer : L. transposition, sup. of transpono ; trans, 
across, and pono, to place. 

TRANSUBSTANTIA'TION. s. A miraculous operation, believed in 
the Church of Rome, by which the bread and wine of the eucharist 
are supposed to be changed into the real body and blood of Christ. 
F. transubstantiation : L. trans, across, or from one to another, and 
substantia, substance. 

TRANSU'DE. v. To pass through in sweat, or vapour. L. trans, 
across, or beyond, and sudo, to sweat. 

TRANSVERSE', adj. In a direction across. L. transversus, p. part, 
of transverto : trans, across, and verto, to turn. 

TRAVAIL', v. To labour; to toil; to harass; to be in labour; to suf- 
fer the pains of childbirth. F. iravailler, to trouble. 

TRAVEL, v. To make a journey ; to pass ; to move. This verb is 
generally supposed to be the same as travail ; though it is now dif- 
ferently spelled, when expressing the toil of a journey, &c. 

TRAVERSE', adj. Lying across ; — s. that which lies across; a thwart- 
ing obstacle, &c. F. traverse. See TRANSVERSE. 

TRAVERSE', v. To cross; to thwart; to oppose, or cross by an ob- 
jection ; to travel over. F. traverser. See TRANSVERSE. 

TRAVESTY, s. A burlesque imitation. F. travesti, part, of travestir, 
to disguise. L. trans, across, meaning contrariety or opposition, 
and vestis, a garment. 

TREACHERY, s. Perfidy; breach of faith. F. tricherie ; from tri- 
cher, to cheat. L. tricor, to trifle, or baffle. 

TREA'SON. s. An offence committed against the safety of a people, 
or of a sovereign or state. F. trahison ; from trahissant, part, of 
trahir, to betray. L. iraho, to draw, or entice. 

262 



TRE— TRI 

TREAS'URY. s. A place in which money is deposited. F. tresorerie : 

L. thesaurus : G. thesauros ; comp. of thesis, a place, and awros, 

riches. 
TREAT, v. To negotiate ; to discourse on ; to use in any manner, 

well or ill; to conduct; to manage; to entertain gratuitously. F. 

trailer : L. tracto ; from tractum, sup. of traho, to draw, or stretch 

out, lead, allure, or contract. 
TREATISE, s. Written discourse ; tract. See TREAT. 
TREATY, s. Negotiation; compact. See TREAT. 
TREBLE, adj. Threefold ; (in music,) of a sharp sound. F. triple. 

See TRIPLE. 
TRE'FOIL. s. A species of clover, or three-leaved grass. L. trefo- 

lium: tres, three, and folium, a leaf. 
TREM'BLE. v. To shake as with fear or cold ; to quake ; to quaver; 

to shudder; to totter. F. trembler : L. tremo, to shake. 
TREMEN'DOUS. adj. Dreadful ; astonishingly terrible. L. tremen- 

dus ; from tremo, to shake. 
TREM'OR, or TREM'OUR. s. State of trembling ; quivering or vi- 
bratory motion. L. tremor : tremo, to shake. 
TREMULOUS, adj. Trembling; fearful; quivering; vibratory. L. 

tremulus. See TREMOR. 
TRENCH, s. A pit or ditch. F. tranche : trancher, to cut. L. trunco, 

to chop off. 
TRENCH' ANT. adj. Cutting; sharp. F. tranchant, part, of trancher : 

L. trunco, to chop off. 
TRENCHER, s. A wooden plate, on which meat is cut at table. F. 

trenchoir : trencher, to cut : L. trunco, to cut into pieces. 
TREPAN', s. An instrument used for cutting circular pieces out of 

the skull. F. trepan : G. trepo, to turn. 
TREPID A'TION. s. State of violent trembling, or quivering ; state of 

being terrified. L. trepidatio ; trepido, to quake for fear, or be 

amazed. 
TRESPASS, v. To transgress ; to offend ; to enter unlawfully into 

another's ground. F. trespasser : L. trans, across, and passus, a 

step. 
TREV'ET. s. Any thing that stands on three legs; as a stool. F. 

trepied : L. tres, three, and pedis, gen. of pes, a foot. 
TREY. s. A three, of cards, dice, &.c. L. tres, three. 
TRI'AD. s. Three united. L. trias ; tres, three. 
TRF ANGLE, s. A figure of three angles. L. triangulum ; tres, three, 

and angulum, an angle. 
TRIBE, s. A distinct body of people, as distinguished by nation, 

family, or fortune. In the reign of Romulus, after a treaty had been 

made with the invading Sabines, it was agreed, that Rome should 

be inhabited by Romans and Sabines, in common; and that they 

should be divided into three sections, (tribus,) called Rhamnanses, 

Talienses, and Lucrenses. The word tribe is, therefore, derived from 

an inflexion of the L. adj. tres, three. 
TRIBULA'TION. s. Persecution ; distress ; vexation. F. tribulation : 

L. tribulo, to thresh. 
TRIBU'NAL. s. The seat of a judge; a court of justice. L. tribunal. 

See TRIBUNE. 

263 



TRI— TRI 

TRIB'UNE. s. Originally, the chief officer of a Roman tribe ; after- 
wards, an officer of Rome, chosen by the people, to guard their liber- 
ties ; or the commander of a cohort. L. tribunus. See TRIBE. 

TRIBUTARY, adj. Subject to pay tribute ; relating to tribute ; paid 
in tribute ; subordinate. L. tributarius. See TRIBUTE. 

TRIBUTE, s. Payment made by a subjected people to their victors ; 
acknowledgment. L. tribulum; tribuo, to give, or grant. 

TRICHO'PHYLLON. s. A plant with leaves resembling hair. G. 
frichion, hair, phullon, a leaf. 

TRI'COLOURED. adj. Having three colours. L. tres, three, and co- 
loured. 

TRIDENT, s. The three-pronged sceptre of Neptune. L. tridens ; 
tres, three, and dens, a tooth. 

TRIB'UAN. adj. Lasting three days ; happening every third day. L. 
triduum ; tres, three, and dies, a day. 

TRIENNIAL, adj. Lasting three years; happening once in three 
years. L. triennes ; tres, three, and annus, a year. 

TRIFO'LIATE. adj. Having three leaves. L. tres, three, and folium, 
a leaf. 

TRIFORM, adj. Having a triple shape. L. triformis ; tres, three, 
and forma, a shape. 

TRIGLOT, s. A literary work, exhibiting the same matter in three 
different languages. G. treis, three, and glotta, a tongue. 

TRIGONAL, adj. Triangular ; three-cornered. G. trigonon, a trian- 
gle : treis, three, and gonia, a corner, or angle. 

TRIGONOM'ETRY. s. The art of measuring triangles. G. trigonos, 
a triangle, and metreo, to measure. 

TRILATERAL, adj. Having three sides. F. trilateral: h.tria, (neu- 
ter of tres,) three, and latera, pi. oflatus, a side. 

TRIM'ETER. adj. Consisting of three poetical measures. G. trime- 
tros ; treis, three, and melron, a measure. 

TRI'NAL. adj. Threefold. L. trinus ; tres, three, and unus, one. 

TRINITY, s. Three in one. L. trinitas ; tres, three, and unitas, 
unity : unus, one. 

TRIP'ARTITE. adj. Divided into three parts; having three corres- 
pondent copies ; relating to three parties. L. tripartitus ; comp. of 
tres, three, and partitus, p. part, ofpartio, to divide. 

TRIP EDAL. adj. Having three feet. L. tripedis, gen. of tripes ; tres, 
three, and pes, a foot. 

TRIPET'ALOUS. adj. Having a flower consisting of three leaves. 
G. treis, three, and petalon, a leaf. 

TRIPHTHONG, s. The coalition of three vowels to form one sound. 
G. treis, three, and phlhongos, a sound. 

TRIP'LE. adj. Threefold; treble. F. triple : L. triplex ; comp. of 
tres, three, and plico, to fold. 

TRIPLET, s. Three of a kind; three verses rhyming together. See 
TRIPLE. 

TRIP'LICATE. s. Made thrice as much ; a second copy, or third of 
three of the same kind. L. triplicatus. See TRIPLE. 

TRIP'OD. s. A seat with three feet. G. tripous, (gen. tripodos ;) from 
treis, three, and pous, a foot. • 

264 



TRI— TRU 

TRIP'TOTE. s. A noun used only in three cases. L. triptoton : G. 
treis, three, and ptosis, a case. 

TRI'REME. s. A galley with three benches of oars. L. triremis ; from 
tres, three, and remits, an oar. 

TRISECT', v. To cut into three parts. L. tres, three, and seco, to 
cut. 

TRISYL'LABLE. s. A word consisting of three syllables. L. trisyU 
laba ; tres, three, and syllaba, a syllable. 

TRIT-33'US. s. The tertian ague. G. tritaios, tertian : treis, three. 

TRITE, adj. Worn out; common. L. tritus, p. part, of tero, to rub. 

TRIT'URATE. v. To levigate or reduce to powder by friction. L. 
trituro : from triturus, (future part, of tero,) about to rub. 

TRI'UMPH. s. Pomp with which a victory is celebrated ; state of be- 
ing victorious ; conquest. L. triumphus : G. thriambos : thrion, a leaf, 
(meaning, of laurel,) and embaino, to go in state. 

TRIUM'VIRATE, or TRIUMVIRI, s. Coalition of three men, as of 
Cassar, Pompey, and Crassus. L. triumviratus, or triumviri : tres, 
three, and viri, (pi. of vir,) men. 

TRIUNE, adj. Three and one, at the same time. L. tres, three, and 
unvs, one. 

TRIVIAL, adj. Vulgar; trifling; unimportant; inconsiderable. L. 
trivialis : trivium, a place where three ways meet, (therefore,) a 
place of common resort : tres, three, and via, a way. 

TROCHOL'ICS. s. The art of wheel-work. G. trochos, a wheel. 

TROPE, s. Figurative change of a word from its original significa- 
tion. G. tropos : from trepo, to turn. 

TROPH'Y. s. Something shown or treasured up in proof of victory. 
L. tropceum, or trophaum : G. tropaion ; from trepo, to turn ; allud- 
ing to the flight or turning of the enemy. 

TROPTC. s. The line at which the sun appears to return, in his decli- 
nation to the north or to the south. L. tropicus : G. trepo, to turn. 

TROPICAL, adj. In grammar, figurative : from Trope : — In astro- 
nomy, within or belonging to the tropics. See TROPIC. 

TROVER, s. In the common law, an action which one person has 
against another, who has found, (or has, by any means, in his pos- 
session) any of the plaintiff's goods, and refuses to. deliver them. F. 
trouver, to find. 

TROY. adj. A species of weight, of which there are 12 ounces in a 
pound. — The fair of Troyes, in Champaign, (says Adam Smith) was, 
in the reign of Henry VIII. of England, (by whom this weight was 
introduced into the mint,) frequented by all the nations of Europe, 
and its weights and measures generally known and esteemed. 

TRUCK, s. A kind of carriage, with low wheels, for carrying heavy 
weights. G. trochos, a wheel. 

TRUCK'LE. s. A small wheel ; the moveable part of a pulley. G. 
trochos, a wheel. 

TRUN'CATE. v. To lop ; to cut short ; to maim. L. trunco. See 
TRUNK. 

TRUN'CHEON. s. A short staff; a cudgel ; a staff of command. F. 
trongon : L. truncus, cut short. 

TRUNK, s. The body of a tree, exclusive of the branches ; the body 
of an animal, without the limbs ; a hollow piece of timber, for con- 
x 265 



TUB-TYP 

veying fluids ; a species of chest ; the proboscis of an elephant. L. 
truncus, cut short. 

TU'BERCLE. s. A small swelling or excrescence ; a pimple. L. tu- 
ber culum ; dim. of tuber, a puff, growing in the ground like a mush- 
room. 

TU'BEROUS. adj. Having prominent knots or excrescences. L. tu- 
berosus : tuber, a puff growing in the ground like a mushroom. 

TUBULAR, adj. Resembling a pipe; consisting of a pipe or pipes; 
fistular. L. tubus, a conduit-pipe. 

TU'BULE. s. A small pipe, or fistular body. L. tubulus, dim. of tubus, 
a conduit-pipe. 

TUI'TION. s. Guardianship ; care exercised by a guardian or tutor ; 
general instruction. L. iuitio : tutus, p. part, of tueor, to behold, or 
defend. 

TUMEFACTION, s. Swelling. L. tumef actio ; from tumef actus, p. 
part, of tumef acio ; comp. of tumeo, to swell, and facio, to make. 

TUMID, adj. Swelled ; protuberant ; pompous ; falsely sublime. L. 
tumidus : tumeo, to swell. 

TU'MOUR. s. A morbid swelling. L. tumor : tumeo, to swell. 

TUMULO'SE. adj. Full of little hills. L. tumulosus : tumulus, a hil- 
lock : from tumeo, to swell. 

TUMULT, s. Promiscuous commotion in a multitude ; popular dis- 
turbance. L. tumultus ; from tumeo, to swell. 

TU'NIC. s. Part of the Roman dress ; (in anatomy,) a natural cover- 
ing or integument. L. tunica. 

TU'NICLE. s. Natural cover ; integument. L. tunicula, a little coat. 
See TUNIC. 

TUR'BID. adj. Muddy. L. turbidus : turbo, a whirling round. 

TURBULENCE, s. Tumult; confusion; disorder. L. turbulentia : 
turba, a crowd : turbo, a whirling round. 

TURGES'CENCE. s. The act of swelling; the slate of being swelled ; 
vain magnificence. L. turgescens, part, of tur'gesco. See TURGID. 

TUR'GID. adj. Swelling ; bloated ; pompous ; vainly magnificent. L. 
turgidus ; from turgeo, to swell. 

TURPITUDE, s. Vileness ; badness. L. turpitudo : turpis, filthy. 

TUR'RET. s. A small eminence, or little tower, raised above the rest 
of a building. L. turris, a tower. 

TU'TELAGE. s. Guardianship ; state of being under a tutor or guard- 
ian. F. tutelage : L. iutela. See TUITION. 

TU'TELAR, or TU'TELARY. adj. Protecting ; guarding. F. tute- 
lage. See TUTELAGE. 

TU'TOR. s. One who has the care of another's learning and morals ; a 
teacher. L. tutor ; from tutus, p. part, of tueor, to behold, or defend. 

TYMPA'NUM. s. A part of the ear, which is supposed to be the im- 
mediate organ of hearing ; so called, from its resemblance to a drum. 
L. tympanum : G. tumpanoh, a drum. 

TYM'PANY. s. A kind of obstructed flatulence, which swells the 
body like a drum. L. tympanum : G. tumpanon, a drum. 

TYPE. s. A mark ; an emblem ; prefiguration ; a printing letter. L. 
typus : G. tupos, a mark ; from tupto, to beat. 

TY'PHUS. s. A species of continued fever. G. tuphos, stupor, sense- 
lessness. 

266 



TYP— UN 

TYP'ICAL. adj. Emblematical ; figurative. L. typicus. See TYPE. 

TYP'IFY. v. To figure ; to show by an emblem. L. typvs, a type, 
and facio, to make. See TYPE. 

TYPOG'RAPHY. s. Emblematical or hieroglyphical representation ; 
art of printing with types. L. typographia : G. tupos, a type, and 
grapho, to write. See TYPE. 

TYRANNICIDE, s. The act of killing a tyrant ; one who has killed 
a tyrant. L. tyrannus, a tyrant, and cado, to kill. 

TY'RANT. s. Originally meant one who had gained the ascendency, 
or absolute rule, in a republic ; it now denotes an imperious mon- 
arch ; a cruel and severe master ; an oppressor. L. tyrannus : G. 
turannos, regal : teiro, to subject. 

TY'RO. s. One not yet master of his art; a beginner. L. tyro, or tiro. 

U. 

UBIQ'UITY. s. Omnipresence ; existence, at the same time, in all 
places. L. ubique, in every place. 

TJL'CER. s. A hollow sore, from which matter issues. F. ulcere : L. 
ulcus : G. ulx, a furrow. 

ULIGINOUS, adj. Oozy ; slimy ; muddy. L. uliginosus : uligo, the 
natural moisture of the earth. 

ULTE'RIOR. adj. Further. L. compar. of ultra, beyond : ultra, ulte- 
rior, ultimus. 

UL'TIMATE. adj. Intended as the last resort; last in a train of 
consequences. L. ultimus, the last ; superl. of ultra, beyond. 

ULTIMATUM, s. Ultimate or last offer or decision. See ULTI- 
MATE. 

UL'TIMO, abbreviated ult°. or ult. The last preceding [month] . L. 
abl. of ultimus, last. 

ULTRAMARI'NE. adj. Situated beyond the sea ; foreign. L. ultra, 
beyond, and mare, the sea. 

ULTRAMON'TANE. adj. Situated beyond the mountains. L. ultra, 
beyond, and mons, (gen. montis,) a mountain. 

ULTRAMUN'DANE. adj. Beyond the world. L. ultra, beyond, and 
mundus, the world. 

UMBRAGE, s. Shade ; shadow : — resentment ; offence ; suspicion of 
injury. — The last three uses of this word, umbrage, may be explain- 
ed, by supposing, that the person giving an offence, is thrown, as it 
is said, in the shade, or out of the favourable aspect of the other's 
countenance. F. ombrage : L. umbra, a shadow, or shade. 

UMBRA'GEOUS. adj. Shady; yielding shade. F. ombragieux : L. 
umbra, a shadow, or shade. 

UMBREL'LA. s. A portable screen, used as a shelter from the sun, 
or from the rain. L. umbra, a shade. 

UM'PIRE. s. One, to whose sole judgment, the decision of a contro- 
versy is referred. L. imperator : impero, to rule. 

UN. A Saxon privative or negative particle, having the same effect 
as the L. in, when this preposition is used to mark privation or ne- 
gation : thus, imconnected, means not connected, and incapable, not 
capable. 

267 



UNA— URN 

UNAN'IMOUS. adj. Of one mind; without any discordance. L. una- 
ni?nus, or unanimis ; comp. of units, one, and animus, the mind. 

UNCTION, s. Act of anointing; rite of anointing; ointment. L. unc- 
tio : unctus, p. part, of ungo, or unguo, to smear. 

UNCTUOUS, adj. Fat; clammy; oily. L. unctus. See UNCTION. 

UN'DULARY. adj. Moving as waves; moving with intermission. 
See UNDULATE. 

UN'DULATE. v. To move as waves ; to move with intermission. L. 
undulo : unda, a wave. 

UNGUENT, s. Ointment. L. unguentum ; from unguo, or ungo, to 
smear. 

U'NICORN. s. A beast that has naturally only one horn. L. unicornis : 
unus, one, and cornu, a horn. 

U'NIFORM. adj. Similar to itself; preserving the same tenor; con- 
forming to one rule ; acting in the same manner ; agreeing with each 
other. L. unus, one, and forma, shape. 

U'NION. s. Junction, so as out of two or more, to make one ; concord. 
F. union; from the L. unus, one. 

UNIP'AROUS. adj. Bringing forth one at a birth. L. unus, one, and 
pario, to bring forth. 

UNIQUE, adj. When we say a thing is unique, we mean that it is 
the only thing of its kind. F. unique : L. unicus : unus, one. 

U'NIT. s. One ; the least number, or the root of numbers. See 
UNITY. 

UNITARIAN, s. One who does not believe in the doctrine of the 
trinity. L. unus, one. 

UNI'TE. v. To join two or more, so as to make one; to act in con- 
cert ; to be cemented, &e. See UNITY. 

U'NITY. s. The state of being one ; concord ; conjunction ; uniform- 
ity ; species of dramatic propriety. L. unitas : unus, one. 

UNIVERSAL, adj. General; extending to all; total; whole; not 
particular. L. universalis : unus, one, and versus, p. part, of verto, 
to turn. 

U'NIVERSE. s. The general system of things ; the whole creation. 
See UNIVERSAL. 

UNIVER'SITY. s. A college, incorporated for the education of youth, 
in all the liberal arts, sciences, &c, and empowered to confer de- 
grees. A university generally comprehends many colleges, as is 
exemplified in those of Oxford and Cambridge, in England. L. uni. 
versitas. See UNIVERSAL. 

UNIVO'CAL. adj. Having one meaning ; certain ; regular. L. uni~ 
vocus ; comp. of unus, one, and vox, (gen. vocis,) a voice. 

URBANITY, s. Civility ; elegance ; politeness ; agreeableness. L. 
urbanitas, a city life, civility, courtesy : urbs, a city. 

URGE. v. To incite ; to push ; to drive ; to press by motives, or by 
argument ; to enforce ; to importune or solicit. L. urgeo, to press on. 

UR'GENT. adj. Inciting ; pressing ; importunate or solicitous. L. 
urgens, part, of urgeo. See URGE. 

URN. s. A water-pot, the mouth of which is narrower than the body; 
a vessel of similar form, in which the remains of burned bodies were 
deposited ; an ornament of the same shape. L. urna, a water- 
pitcher. 

268 



USA— VAG 

U'SAGE. s. Custom ; long-continued practice ; treatment. F. usage : 
L. vsus. See USE. 

USE. s. Application to any purpose ; proper designation or instrumen- 
tality ; agency ; help ; benefit ; practice, &c. L. usus ; from a part, 
of utor, to use. 

USH'ER. s. One whose business is to introduce strangers, or walk 
before persons of high rank ; an under-teacher, or one who intro- 
duces young scholars to higher learning. F. huissier ; from huis, a 
door. 

USTULA'TION. s. The roasting of ores, to separate the arsenic and 
sulphur from the metal. L. ustulaius, p. part, of ustulo, (from uro,) 
to burn. 

U'SUFRUCT. s. Temporary use ; enjoyment of the profits, without 
power to alienate. L. usus, use, and fructus, fruit. 

USURP', v. To possess by force or intrusion ; to seize or possess with- 
out right. L. usurpo, the frequentative form of ut or, to use. 

U'SURY. s. Money paid for the use of money : interest ; the, practice 
of taking interest. But the term usury, is now used only to denote 
a higher rate of interest than is allowed by law, or the practice of 
charging it. F. usure : L. usura ; from utor, to use. 

UTENSIL, s. An instrument for use. F. utensile : L. utor, to use. 

U'TERINE. adj. Relating or belonging to the womb. L. uterinus. 
See UTERUS. 

U'TERUS. s. The womb. L. 

UTILE DUL'CI. The useful with the pleasant. L. 

UTILTT Y. s. Usefulness ; profit ; convenience. L. utilitas : utor, to 
use. 

U'TI POSSIDETIS. A diplomatic phrase, used when two or more 
states desire to make peace, on the terms that each shall retain the 
possessions which it then holds: opposed to status quo ante bellum. 
L. uli, as, possidetis, (from possideo,) you possess. 

UXO'RIOUS. adj. Submissively fond of a wife ; infected with connu- 
bial dotage. L. uxorius ; uxor, a wife. 

V. 

VA'CANT. adj. Empty; unoccupied; thoughtless; unintelligent. L. 
vacans, part, of vaco, to be empty. 

VACA'TE. v. To make vacant, or void ; to quit possession of. L. 
vaco, to be empty. 

VACA'TION. s. Recess from a place of business ; intermission of 
stated employments. L. vacatio: vacatus, p. part, of vaco, to be 
empty. 

VACCINE, adj. Vaccine inoculation (an important substitute for the 
variolus,) was perfected by Dr. Jenner of England, about the year 
1800, and received its name from the infectious matter having been 
first taken from the teats of cows. L. vacca, a cow. 

VACUITY, s. Emptiness; space unfilled, or unoccupied; want of 
reality. L. vacuitas. See VACUUM. 

VACUUM, s. Space unoccupied by matter, or from which the atmo- 
spheric air has been exhausted. L. from vaco, to be empty. 

VAG'ABOND. adj. Wandering, without any settled habitation ; (al- 
x» 261) 



VAG— VAS 

ways, now, considered in a reproachful sense.) F. vagabond: L. 

vagabundus : vagor, to wander. 
VAGARY, s. A freak ; a capricious frolic. L. vagor, to wander. 
VA'GRANT. adj. Wandering ; unsettled ; vagabond. L. vagor, to 

wander. 
VAGUE, adj. Unfixed ; unsettled ; undetermined ; indefinite. F. 

vague : L. vagus : vagor, to wander. 
VAIL. s. A curtain ; a cover. See VEIL. 
VAIN. adj. Unreal; shadowy; showy; fond of admiration ; useless; 

fruitless ; ineffectual, &c. F. vain : L. vanus, empty. 
VALE. s. A valley ; a hollow between hills. L. vallis ; from vallo, to 

enclose. 
VALEDICTION, s. A farewell. L. vale, farewell, and dictio, a say- 

ingf : dico, to speak. 
VALEDICTORY, adj. Bidding farewell. See VALEDICTION. 
VALETUDINARIAN, s. One who, through infirmity of body, is 

compelled to nurse himself, in order to restore his constitution. L. 

valetudo, health, or sickness. 
VALIANT, adj. Strong ; brave. F. vaillant : L. valeo, to be strong. 
VALTD. adj. Efficacious; convincing ; conclusive. L. validus ; from 

valeo, to be strong. 
VAL'LEY. s. A vale ; a hollow between hills. L. vallis : vallo, to 

enclose. 
VAL'OUR. s. Strength ; bravery. L. valor : valeo, to be strong. 
VAL'UE. s. Price ; worth ; rate. F. value : valoir, to have worth : L. 

valeo, to be strong. 
VAN. s. The front division of an army or fleet. F. avant, before. 
VANISH, v. To lose perceptible existence; to disappear; to pass 

away. L. inceptive, vanesco ; from vanus, empty. 
VAN'ITY. s. Emptiness ; fruitless endeavour ; vain pursuit ; presump- 
tion ; idle show ; fondness of admiration. L. vanitas. See VAIN. 
VANQUISH, v. To conquer. F. vaincre : L. vinco ; from vincio, to 

bind. 
VAPTD. adj. Spiritless ; having the spirit evaporated. L. vapidus. 

See VAPOUR'. 
VA'POUR. s. Fluid in an aeriform state ; steam. L. vapor. 
VA'RL\NCE. s. Disagreement; discord; dissension. See VARY. 
VA'RIEGATE. v. To diversify ; to stain with various colours. From 

vary, with the addition of the L. verb ago, to make. 
VARIETY, s. Change; difference; dissimilitude; deviation. L. va- 

rietas. See VARY. 
VARI'OLOID. s. A new species of disorder, resembling the small- 
pox. L. variola ; from varus, a spot, and G. eidos, form. 
VARIOUS, adj. Changeable; uncertain; different; several. L. va- 

rius. See VARY. 
VA'RY. v. To change ; to diversify ; to be changeable ; to deviate ; 

to disagree. L. vario, to draw with, (or be of,) various colours : va- 
rus, a spot. 
VAS'CULAR. adj. Consisting of little vessels ; full of little vessels. 

L. vasculum, dim. of vas, a vessel. 
VASE. s. A domestic vessel, rather for show than use. F. vase : L. 

vas, a vessel (of any kind, for domestic use.) 

270 



VAS— VEN 

VAS'SAL. s. One who holds of a superior lord ; a dependant ; one 

who acts by the will of another. F. vassal : L. vas, a pledge, or 

hostage. 
VAST. adj. Very large ; very great ; immensely spacious. L. vastus, 

waste, desolate, wide, huge, &c. 
VATICINATION, s. Act of prophesying ; a foretelling. L. vaticu 

natio ; from vates, a prophet. 
VAUDE'VILLE. s. A ballad ; a musical drama. F. 
VEAL. s. The flesh of a calf. F. veau : L. vitulus, a calf. 
VEDETTE', s. A mounted sentinel, who observes the movements of 

an enemy. F. vedette ; from the L. video, to see. 
VE'GETABLE. s. Any thing that grows as a plant. L. vegetaoilis. 

See VEGETATE. 
VE'GETATE. v. To grow as plants ; to grow without sensation. L. 

vegeto ; from vegeo, to be strong and healthy, to stir or move up. 
VEHEMENT, adj. Violent ; forcible ; ardent. L. vehemens : veho, to 

carry. 
VE'HICLE. s. That in which any thing is carried ; that by means of 

which any thing is conveyed. L. vekiculum : veho, to carry. 
VEIL. s. A small curtain for concealing the face ; means of conceal- 
ment ; a disguise. L. velum : velo, to cover. 
VELOCIPEDE, s. A small carriage, driven by the feet. L. velox, 

(gen. velocis,) swift, and pes, (gen. pedis,) a foot. 
VELOCITY, s. Speed ; swiftness. L. velocitas : velox, swift : from 

volo, (volare,) to fly. 
VENAL, adj. Mercenary; prostitute. F. venal: L. venalis; from 

veneo, to be sold. 
VENAT'IC. adj. Used in hunting. L. venaticus : venatus, part, of 

venor, to seek after, or hunt. 
VEND. v. To sell. L. vendo, to sell. 

VENDTBLE. adj. Saleable. L. vendibilis : vendo, to sell. 
VENDITIONI EXPONAS. The name of a judicial writ, directing 

a sheriff to sell certain property therein described. L. exponas, you 

must expose, venditioni, to sale : expono, and venditio. 
VEN' DUE. s. Public sale, generally by auction. F. from vendre : L. 

vendo, to sell. 
VEN'ENATE. v. To poison ; to infect with poison. L. veneno : G. 

pheno, to kill. 
VENERABLE, adj. To be regarded with awe; to be treated with 

reverence ; deserving the highest degree of respect. L. venerabilis. 

See VENERATE. 
VEN'ERATE. v. To regard with awe ; to reverence. L. veneror, to 

worship. 
VENESECTION, s. Act of opening a vein ; blood-letting. L. vena, 

a vein, and sectus, p. part, of seco, to cut. 
VE'NIAL. adj. Pardonable; excusable; permitted. F. veniel : L. 

venia, leave. 
VENIRE FACIAS. The name of a judicial writ, by which a she- 
riff is directed to summon a jury. L. facias, you must cause, [them,] 

venire, to come : venio, and facio. 
VEN'ISON. s. The flesh of deer. F. venaison: L. venor, to hunt. 
VENOM, s. Poison. L. venenum. See VENENATE. 

271 



VEN— VER 

VENT. $. An aperture through which any thing comes out; emis. 

sion ; passage, &c. L. ventum, sup. of venio, to come. 
VENT. s. Sale. F. vente : L. venditio : venditus, part, of vendo, to sell. 
VEN'TIDUCT. s. A passage for the wind. L. ventus, wind, and ductus, 

a guidance 2#from the p. part, of duco, to lead. 
VEN'TILATE. v. To cool or purify, by the admission of wind. L. 

ventilo ; from ventus, wind. 
VEN'TRAL. adj. Relating or belonging to the belly. L. venter, the 

belly. 
VEN'TRICLE. s. The stomach ; any small cavity in an animal body, 

particularly of the heart. L. venlriculus, dim. of venter, the belly. 
VENTRIL'OQUIST. s. One who pretends that he speaks from his 

belly, but who has acquired the art of articulating his words without 

using the proper organs of speech ; and can so modify his tones, as 

to induce a belief that the sound issues from any place to which he 

directs the attention of his auditors. L. venter, the belly, and loquor, 

to speak. 
VEN'TURE. s. A hazard ; an undertaking of chance and danger ; the 

thing put to hazard, &c. F. avanture : L. venturus, (future part, of 

venio,) about to come. 
VERACITY, s. Moral truth ; honesty of report. L. veracis, gen. of 

verax, true of speech. 
VERB. s. A part of speech, defined as signifying " to be, to do, or to 

suffer." L. verhvm, a word : thus, making the verb pre-eminent, as 

being the radical, from which is formed the greater portion of the 

other parts of speech. 
VER'BAL. adj. Spoken ; not written ; oral ; consisting of mere words ; 

referring to mere words, not to the matter or general style ; literal ; 

having word corresponding to word ; derived from a verb. L. ver- 

balls ; verbum, a word. See VERB. 
VERB AT IM. Word for- word. L. from verbum, a word. 
VERBATIM ET LITERATIM. Word for word, and letter for 

letter ; without the smallest variation. L. adverbs, verbatim, word 

for word, and literatim, letter for letter : verbum, a word, and litera, 

a letter. 
VER'BERATE. v. To beat ; to strike. L. verbero ; from verber, a 

whip. 
VERBO'SE. adj. Exuberant in words ; tedious, by a multiplicity of 

words. L. verbosvs ; verbum, a word. 
VER'DANT. adj. Green. F. verdoyant (formerly, verdoiant ;) L. viri- 

dans ; vireo, to flourish, or to be green : vires, pi. of vis, strength. 
VER'DERER. s. An officer of a forest. F. verdier : L. viridarium, a 

green place, enclosed for beasts and fowls : from viridis, green. 
VER'DITER. s. Chalk made green. F. verd, green, and terre, earth. 
VER'DICT. s. The determination of a jury, declared to the judge ; de- 
cision ; judgment. Law L. veredictum ; L. verum, neuter ofverus, 

true, and dictum, a saying. 
VER'DURE. s. Green ; green colour. F. verdure. See VERDANT. 
VERGE, s. A rod, or something resembling it, carried as an emblem 

of authority ; the mace of a dean. F. verge : L. virga, a rod. 
VERGE, s. The brink ; the edge ; the utmost border. L. vergo, to 

decline, or bend towards. 

272 



VER— VER 

VER'GER. s. He that carries the verge or mace before a dean. See 

VERGE. 
VERIFY, v. To confirm ; to prove true. F. verifier : L. verus, real, 

or true, and facia, to make. 
VERILY, adj. Truly ; certainly ; with great confidence. See VERY. 
VERISIMILITUDE, s. Probability; resemblance of truth. L. veri. 

similitudo ; comp. of veri, gen. of verum, truth, and similitudo, a 

likeness. 
VERITABLE, adj. True; in accordance with fact. F. veritable. 

See VERITY. 
VERTTY. s. Truth. L. Veritas : verus, real. 
VERMICULAR, adj. Acting like a worm ; continued from one part 

to another. L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a worm. 
VER MICULE. s. A little worm. L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis, a 

worm. 
VERMIFORM, adj. Having the shape of a worm. L. vermis, a 

worm, and forma, shape. 
VERMIFUGE, s. A medicine for expelling or destroying worms. L. 

vermis, a worm, and/wg-o, to drive away. 
VER'MIN. s. Noxious animals ; a term used commonly in relation to 

small creatures of a disagreeable or destructive nature. F. vermin : 

L. vermis, a worm, grub, &c. 
VERNACULAR, adj. Native; of one's own country. L. vernaculus ; 

from verna, a bond-servant, or one born in the house. 
VER'NAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to the spring of the year. L. 

vernus : ver, the spring. 
VER'SATILE. adj. Changeable; variable; easily applied to a new 

task. L. versatilis : verso, to turn often : verto, to turn. 
VERSE, s. Language restrained to harmonic sounds, or a regular 

number of syllables ; a line of verse ; a portion of Scripture, con- 
tained in one numerical division. This species of composition is 

generally called poetry ; though, a poem is not always written in 

verse, nor is verse always poetry, — which denotes an exertion of 

genius, and a captivating display of originality. L. versus ; from 

verto, to turn. See PROSE. 
VERS'ED. adj. Skilled (in ;) acquainted (with.) L. verso, to turn 

often, or consider : verto, to turn. 
VER'SIFY. v. To make verses. F. versifier : L. versifico : comp. of 

versus, a verse, and facio, to make. 
VERSION, s. Translation. L. versio: versus, p. part, of verto, to 

turn. 
VERSUS, prep. Against. L. 
VER'TEBRAL. adj. Relating to the joints of the spine. L. vertebra, 

a turning joint in the body ; verto, to turn. 
VER'TEX. s. The zenith, the point over head ; the top. L. vertex, 

the top of any thing : verto, to turn. 
VER'TICAL. adj. Placed in the zenith ; placed in a direction perpen- 
dicular to the horizon. L. verticis, gen. of vertex. See VERTEX. 
VERTIGINOUS, adj. Turning round ; rotary ; giddy. L. vertigi- 

nosus : vertiginis, gen. of vertigo, turning round : from verto, to turn. 
VER'TIGO. s. A giddiness, or sense of turning, in the head. L. from 

verto, to turn. 

273 



VER— VIC 

VER' Y. adj. True ; real ; same or precise : adv. emphatically ; in a 
high degree. Old F. veray, (modern, vrai,) true : L. versus, real. 

VESICATE, v. To blister. L. vesica, a bladder, or (figuratively,) a 
blister. 

VESTCLE. s. A small cuticle, filled or inflated. L. vesicula, dim. of 
vesica, a bladder. 

VESICULAR, adj. In anatomy, hollow ; full of small interstices. See 
VESICLE. 

VES'PERS. s. Evening service of the Roman church. L. vesper, the 
evening. 

VEST. v. To dress ; to deck ; to enrobe ; to make possessor of; to 
invest with ; to place under the authority of. L. vestio ; from vestis, 
a garment. 

VESTAL, adj. Consecrated to Vesta ; having virgin purity. L. ves- 
talis. See the heathen mythology. 

VESTTGE. s. Mark left behind in passing ; trace. L. vestigium, a 
trace. 

VEST'MENT. s. Garment; part of dress. L. vestimentum : vestis, a 
garment. 

VESTRY, s. A room, belonging to a church, in which the sacerdotal 
garments, &c, are deposited ; a parochial assembly, usually convened 
in the vestry-room ; an assembly of the elders and pew-holders of 
any church. L. vestiarium, a wardrobe : vestis, a garment. 

VEST'URE. s. Garment ; robe ; dress. Old F. vesture : L. vestis, a 
garment. 

VETERAN, adj. Long practised in war ; long experienced. L. vete. 
ranus : veteris, gen. of vetus, old. 

VE'TO. s. Refusal ; rejection; invested power or privilege of rejecting 
or annulling. L. veto, I forbid. 

VEX. v. To disturb ; to plague ; to lament ; to fret. L. vexo, to toss 
up and down ; freq. from vexus, p. part, ofveho, to carry. 

VIA. By the way of. L. abl. of via, a way. 

VIANDS, s. Food ; meat dressed. F. viande, food. L. vivendo, ge- 
rund, of vivo, to live. 

VIATTCUM. s. Provision for a journey ; in the Roman church, the 
last rites used to prepare the passing soul for its departure ; pecu- 
niary compensation to a witness, for having come to a court of jus- 
tice. L. from via, a way, and itus, a going : eo, to go. 

VI'BRATE. v. To move backward and forward, or upward and down- 
ward, with a quick motion ; to quiver. L. vibro, to shake. 

VICAR, s. A substitute ; a clergyman of the episcopal church, in de- 
gree below a rector. L. vicarius : vicis, stead, place. 

VICARIOUS, adj. Deputed ; delegated ; acting in the place of an- 
other. L. vicarius. See VICAR. 

VICE. In the place of. L. abl. of vicis, stead, place. 

VICE-ADMIRAL, s. The second, commander of a fleet ; an admiral 
of the second rank. L. vice, in the place, (instead,) and admiral. 

VICEGE'RENT. s. A lieutenant; one who possesses delegated power. 
L. vice, in the place, (instead.) and gererts, part, of gero, to bear. 

VI'CEROY. s. One who governs in place of a king, with regal autho- 
rity. L. vice, in the place, (instead,) and F. roi, a king. 

274 



VIC— VIN 

VICINAGE, s. A neighbourhood ; places adjoining. L. vicinia ; from 

vicus, a village. 
VICIN'ITY. s. Nearness; state of being near; neighbourhood. L. 

vicinitas. See VICINAGE. 
VICIS'SITUDE. s. Change ; revolution. L. vicissitudo ; comp. of 

vicis, change, stead, and ito, to go frequently : Hum, sup. of eo, to go. 
VICTIM, s. A sacrifice ; something slain for a sacrifice ; something 

destroyed. L. victima, a beast killed in sacrifice, for victory : viclus, 

p. part, of vinco, to overcome. 
VICTOR, s. Conqueror. L. from vinco, to conquer. 
VICTUALS, s. Food. F. victuailles : L. victus, p. part, of vivo, to 

live. 
VI'DE. v. See. L. imper. of video, to see. 
VIDELTCET, or its contraction, VIZ. That is; to wit; namely; 

comp. of videre, infinitive of video, to see, and licet, it is lawful — you 

may if you will, &c. 
VI ET ARM' IS. By force and arms ; by a force not sanctioned by 

law. L. abl. of vis, and arma. 
VIEW. s. Prospect, sight, &c. F. vue : vu, past part voire : L. vi- 

dere, (infin. of video,) to see. 
VIGIL, s. Watch ; devotion performed in the customary hours of 

rest ; a fast observed before a holiday, &c. L. vigil, a watchman. 
VIGILANT, adj. Watchful; circumspect. L. vigilans, part, of vigilo : 

vigil, a watchman. 
VIG'OROUS. adj. Strong ; lively ; energetic ; full of strength and life. 

See VIGOUR. 
VIGOUR, s. Strength ; health ; energy. L. vigor ; from vigeo, to 

flourish ; vi, (abl. of vis,) with strength, and agendo, abl. gerund of 

ago, to do, or move. 
VILE. adj. Worthless ; mean ; sordid ; base ; wicked. L. vilis, of no 

value. 
VILTFY. v. To debase ; to degrade ; to defame. L. vilis, of no value, 

and/ado, to make. 
VIL'LAGE. s. A small collection of houses in the country, less than 

a town. F. village : L. villa, a country-house. 
VIL'LAIN. s. This word, according to the present popular meaning, 

has almost entirely changed its signification. It formerly denoted 

one who held lands on very dependent conditions, under the feudal 

system ; one who was bound to do any sort of service for his supe- 
rior lord. It now signifies a base, wicked rogue. F. vilain : vil, 

mean, contemptible; L. vilis ; or else, from villa, a village. Consult 

Blackstone's Commentaries. 
VIL'LANAGE. s. The state of that species of tenants formerly called 

villains ; or the nature of their tenure. See VILLAIN. 
VIL'LOUS. adj. Shaggy ; rough ; furry. L. villosus : villus, wool, or 

hair. 
VIMIN'EOUS. adj. Made of twigs. L. vimineus : vimen, a twig. 
VIN'CIBLE. adj. Conquerable ; superable. L. vincibilis : vinco, to 

conquer. 
VINDICATE, v. To revenge ; to avenge ; to justify ; to support, or 

maintain ; to assert ; to claim with efficacy. L. vindico : vi, (abl. 

of vis,) with strength, and indico, to declare : in and dico. 

275 



VIN— VIS 

VINDICTIVE, adj. Revengeful. L. vindicta, vengeance. See VIN- 
DICATE. 

VIN'EGAR. s. Wine grown sour ; a vegetable acid, called acetous. 
F. vinaigre : vin, wine, and aigre, sour : L. vinum, and acer. 

VI'NOUS. adj. Having the qualities of wine ; relating to a species of 
fermentation. L. vinosus : vinum, wine. 

VIN'TAGE. s. Season of gathering the grapes, and making them into 
wine. F. vin : L. vinum, wine. > 

VINT'NER. s. One who sells wine. F. vin : L. vinum, wine. 

VI'OLATE. v. To infringe ; to hurt; to injure, by irreverence or sa- 
crilege ; to deflower. L. violo, to force : vi, abl. of vis, force. 

VIOLENT, adj. Acting with great force ; produced or continued by 
force; unseasonably vehement; outrageous. L. violentus : violo, to 
force : vi, abl. of vis, force. 

VI'PER. s. A serpent of that species which brings forth its young 
alive. L. vivus, alive, and pario, to bring forth. 

VIRA'GO. s. A blustering woman ; a woman with the qualities of a 
man. L. vir, a man, and ago, to act. 

VIRGO, s. One of the twelve signs of the zodiac. L. virgo, a 
virgin. 

VIRILITY, s. Manhood ; power of procreation. L. virilitas : vir, a 
man. 

VIR'TUAL. adj. Having the efficacy, without the material part ; hav- 
ing the power, without the regular authority, of acting. F. virtuel : 
L. virtus, force, faculty. 

VIR'ULENT. adj. Poisonous ; venomous ; bitter ; malignant. L. vi- 
rulentus. See VIRUS. 

VIRUS, s. Infectious principle ; poison. L. 

VIS' AGE. s. Countenance ; face. F. visage : L. visus : visus, (p. part. 
of video,) seen. 

VIS-A-VIS. s. A species of carriage, in which the passengers sit oppo- 
site to each other. F. vis a vis, over against : visage, a face, a, 
against, visage, a face. 

VIS'CERA. s. The entrails. L. pi. of viscus, a bowel, or entrail. 

VISCERATE, v. To disembowel. See VISCERA. 

VIS'CID, or VIS'COUS. adj. Glutinous; sticky; tenacious. L. vis- 
cidus : viscus, properly a species of shrub, which yields a glutinous 
substance, called birdlime. 

VISCOUNT, s. The term viscount, w T as formerly the French name 
for sheriff, in England, as vicecomes, is now the Latin : vice, in the 
place of, and comes, a count. The title of viscount, was first con- 
ferred by Henry VI. without any office pertaining to it ; and now 
signifies one of the order of nobility next below an earl. See COUNT. 

VISIBLE, adj. Perceptible to the eye; apparent; open ; conspicuous. 
L. visibilis. See VISION. 

VIS INER'TIJE. In physics or mechanics, this is applied to the 
power of a stationary body, resisting that which would set it in mo- 
tion. In morals, it is a figurative application, and another name for 
sluggishness, or indolence. L. vis, the power, inertia, (gen. of in- 
ertia,) of lying still. 

VISION, s. Sight ; the faculty of seeing ; a supernatural appearance ; 
something shown in a dream ; a rhetorical figure, by which past 

276 



VIS— voc 

events are represented as present. F. vision : L. visio : visus, p. 
part, of video, to see. 

VIS'IONARY. adj. Affected by phantoms ; disposed to receive im- 
pressions on the imagination; imaginary. F. visionaire. See 
VISION. 

VIS'IT. v. To go to see ; to be in the habit of mutual salutations at 
the houses of each other ; (in scriptural language,) to send good or 
evil judicially. L. visito, to go often to see : visum, sup. of video, to see. 

VISIT A'TION. s. Formal or tedious visit ; judicial good or evil sent 
by God. L. visito. See VISIT. 

VI'SOR. s. A mask for disguising the face. See VISAGE. 

VIS'TA. s. View through an open space, as between trees, &c. Ita- 
lian ; from the L. visus, p. part, of video, to see. 

VIS'UAL. adj. Relating or pertaining to the sight. F. visuel : L. vi- 
sus, sight : from video, to see. 

VI'TAL. adj. Contributing to life ; necessary to life ; relating to life ; 
essential, &c. L. vitalis : vita, life. 

VI'TALS. s. Parts essential to life. See VITAL. 

VITIATE, v. To corrupt; to make less pure. L. vitio: vitium, 
faultiness, or deformity. 

VI'TIOUS, or VI'CIOUS. adj. Corrupt ; wicked ; prone to vice. L. 
vitiosus ; from vitium, faultiness, deformity. 

VIT'REOUS. adj. Consisting of glass; resembling glass. L. vit reus : 
vitrum, glass. 

VIT'RIFY. v. To become glass : to change into glass. F. vitrifier : 
L. vitrum, glass, and facio, to make. 

VIT'RIOL. s. This term, which refers to a glassy appearance, is no 
longer used by chemists, but is superseded by that of sulphate : thus, 
Roman or blue vitriol is called sulphate of copper ; and green vitriol, 
or copperas, sulphate of iron. F. vitriol : L. vitrum, glass. 

VIT'ULINE. adj. Belonging to a calf. L. vitulinus : vitulus, a male 
calf. 

VITUTERATE. v. To blame, or censure. L. vitupero, to blame. 

VIVA'CIOUS. adj. Long-lived ; lively ; gay. L. vivacis, gen. of vivax : 
from vivo, to live. 

VIVA'CITY. s. Liveliness ; gayety ; sprightliness. F. vivacite : L. 
vivacis, gen. of vivax, lively : vivo, to live. 

VIVA VO'CE. By oral declaration or testimony, as opposed to 
written. L. viva, by a living, voce, voice : abl. of vivus, and vox. 

VIVID, adj. Lively ; striking ; sprightly ; active. L. vividus : vivo, 
to live. 

VIVIFY, v. To endue with life. F. vivifier : L. vivifico : vivus, alive, 
and facio, to make. 

VIVIP'AROUS. adj. Bringing forth the young alive : opposed to 
oviparous. L. vivus, alive, and pario, to bring forth. 

VIZ. See VIDELICET. 

VI'ZOR. See VISOR. 

VOCAB'ULARY. s. A sort of dictionary ; a glossary, or explanation 
of obscure terms ; a stock of words. L. vocabularium : vocabulum, 
a name : voco, to call. 

VO'CAL. adj. Uttered by the voice ; intended for the voice. L. vocalis : 
vocis, gen. of vox, the voice. 

v 277 



VOC— VOM 

VOCA'TION. s. A calling ; the employment to which any one is called 
by the will of God. L. vocatio : vocatus, p. part, of voco, to call. 

VOC' ATI VE. adj. Relating to the grammatical case used in calling 
or speaking to. L. vocativus ; from voco, to call. 

VOICE, s. Sound emitted by the mouth ; vote ; suffrage. F. voix : 
L. vox ; from vocatus, p. part, of voco, to call. 

VOID. adj. Empty; vacant; vacated; null; ineffectual. F. vuide: 
L. viduus, bereft, deprived. 

VOIR DIRE. A preliminary oath, administered to a witness, (veru 
tatem dicere ;) to make true answers to such questions as the court 
shall demand of him, to ascertain his competency, age, &c, previous 
to his being sworn in chief, to testify as to the merits of the question. 
Voire seems to be a Norman corruption of the L. verus, true ; dire, 
is from the L. dicere, to say. 

VO'LANT. adj. Flying ; passing through the air ; nimble. F. volant : 
L. volans, part, of volo, (volare,) to fly. 

VOL'ATILE. adj. Having the power to pass off by spontaneous eva- 
poration ; overlively ; fickle ; of changeable mind. L. volatilis : volo, 
(volare,) to fly. 

VOLCANO, s. A burning mountain. Italian, from the heathen deity, 
Vulcan, who is poetically related to have had his forge in Mount 
iEtna, where his workmen, the Cyclops, made thunderbolts. 

VOLI'TION. s. Will ; the act of willing ; the power of willing exerted. 
L. volitio : volo, (velle,) to will, or be willing. 

VOL'LEY. s. A flight of shot ; a discharge of many guns at once ; an 
emission of many at once. F. volee : L. volo, (volare,) to fly. 

VOL'TIGEUR, s. One of a kind of troops intended for rapid move- 
ments. F. from the L. volito, (freq. of volo,) to fly about. 

VOLUBIL'ITY. s. Act or power of rolling; activity or fluency (ap- 
plied to the tongue, or speech.) L. volubilitas. See VOLUBLE. 

VOL'UBLE. adj. Formed so as to roll easily, or be easily put in mo- 
tion ; rolling ; moving quickly ; active or fluent, (applied to the 
tongue, or speech. L. volubilis : volutus, p. part, of volvo, to roll. 

VOL'UME. s. Something rolled, or convolved ; a book ; so called, be- 
cause books were anciently rolled on a staff; circumference. L. 
volumen ; volvo, to roll. 

VOLUMINOUS, adj. Consisting of many volumes ; extensive ; co- 
pious. See VOLUME. 

VOL'UNTARY. adj. Acting by one's own will, not by compulsion, or 
entreaty ; willing ; spontaneous. L. valuntarius ; volo, (velle,) to be 
willing. 

VOLUNTEER', s. One who enters upon any service of his own ac- 
cord. F. volontaire. See VOLUNTARY. 

VOLUP'TUOUS. adj. Freely indulging one's desires ; given to excess 
of pleasure ; luxurious. L. voluptuosus ; voliiptas, pleasure : volo, 
to wish. 

VOLU'TE. s. That part of the capital of a column which is supposed 
to represent the bark of trees twisted into spiral lines, or, according 
to others, the long twisted hair of a female. F. volute : L. volutus, 
p. part, of volvo, to roll. 

VOM' IT. v. To throw up from the stomach ; to emit, as a volcano. L. 
vomito, frequentative of vomo, to spew or cast up. 

278 



VOR— WID 

VORA'CIOUS. adj. Greedy to eat ; ravenous ; rapacious. L. vorax, 
(gen. voracis :) from voro, to devour. 

VOR'TEX. s. A whirlwind, or whirlpool; pi. vortexes. In the Carte- 
sian philosophy, a system or collection of particles of matter, moving 
the same way, and round the same axis ; pi. vortices. L. vortex ; 
from verto, to turn. 

VO'TARY. s. One devoted, as by a vow, to any particular service, 
worship, study, or state of life. See VOTE. 

VOTE. s. Suffrage ; wish expressed in favour of any person or thing. 
L. votum ; votus, p. part, of voveo, to vow, or wish for. 

VO'TIVE. adj. Given by vow. L. voiivus. See VOTE. 

VOUCH, v. To vouch, in law, signifies to call upon a person to defend 
a title to lands, which he is supposed to have warranted : it also sig- 
nifies to bear witness, to warrant, &c. L. voco, to call. 

VOW. v. To consecrate, by a solemn dedication ; to promise with so- 
lemnity. F. vouer : L. voveo, to pray, or wish for. 

VOWEL, s. A letter which can be fully sounded by itself. F. voyelle : 
L. vocalis ; from vocis, gen. of vox, a voice, or sound. 

VOX POP'ULI. The voice of the people. L. 

VOY' AGE. s. A journey of discovery ; but, in general, a long passage 
by sea : it is also used to express the ascension and passage of an 
ffironaut. F. from voir, to see. 

VUL'GAR. adj. Plebeian ; suiting or practised amongst the common 
people ; (in relation to a language,) national : — also, mean ; un- 
fashionable. L. vulgaris ; valgus, the common people. 

VUL'NERABLE. adj. Susceptible of wounds ; liable to external in- 
juries ; not impregnable. L. vulnerabilis ; vulnera, pi. of vulnus, a 
wound. 

VUL'NERARY. adj. Relating or belonging to wounds. L. vulnera- 
rius ; vulneris, gen. of vulnus, a wound. 

VULPINE, adj. Belonging to a fox. L. vulpinus ; vulpes, a fox. 



W. 

WARD. v. To guard ; to protect ; to fence off. s. guard ; act of guard- 
ing ; district in a town ; custody ; that part of a lock, which, cor- 
responding to the proper key, hinders, or guards it from being 
opened by another ; one in the hands of a guardian, &c. F. garder, 
to guard. 

WAR'RANT. v. To support or maintain ; to attest ; to authorize ; to 
justify; to secure. F. garaniir, to indemnify, or defend. See 
GUARANTEE'. 

WAR'RANT. s. A writ conferring some right or authority ; a secure, 
inviolable grant; a justificatory commission; evidence. See the 
verb. 

WAR'REN. s. A kind of park for rabbits. F. garenne. See WARD. 
WASTE, v. To destroy ; to diminish ; to consume, &c. L. vasto, to 

destroy, or ravage. 
WID'OW. s. A woman whose husband is dead. L. vidua ; from 

viduus, bereft. 

279 



ZEA-ZOO 



ZEAL. s. Passionate ardour. L. zelus : G. zelos ; from zeo, to be hot. 

ZEAL'OT. s. One passionately ardent in any cause : — generally used 
in dispraise. G. zelotes. See ZEAL. 

ZEAL'OUS. adj. Passionately ardent in any cause. See ZEAL. 

ZEPH'YR. s. The west wind ; any calm, pleasing wind. L. zephyrus: 
G. zephuros ; zoe, life, and phero, to bring. 

ZE'RO. s. A term used to signify 0. In thermometers, the or zero 
of Reaumur indicates the freezing point; but in the instruments 
made according to Fahrenheit, the zero is 32 degrees below it. This 
word is not in any English dictionary ; but, in the French, is ex- 
plained as a cypher or nought. G. xeros, (vacuus,) void, vacant. 

ZEUGMA, s. A figure in grammar, by which a verb, agreeing with 
several nouns, or an adjective with several substantives, is referred 
to one expressly, and understood before the rest: as, "lust overcame 
shame, — boldness, fear, — and madness, reason." G. zeugma, a 
joining. 

ZODIAC, s. The track of the sun through the twelve signs, (the ram, 
bull, &c. ;) a great circle of the sphere, representing the twelve signs. 
L. zodiacus : G. zodiakos ; zodioa, (pi. of zodion,) living creatures : 
zao, to live. 

ZONE. s. A girdle ; a division of the earth, marked by an imaginary 
girdle or circle. G. zone ; zonnuo, to gird. 

ZO'OGO'NIA. s. The production of living creatures : pronounced 
zo-ogonia. G. zoos, living, and gone, an offspring. 

ZO'OG'RAPHY. s. A written description of animals : pronounced 
zo-ography. G. zoos, living, and grapho, to write. 

ZO'OL'OGY. s. That part of natural history which relates to animals : 
pronounced zo-ology. G. zoos, living, and logos, a word, or descrip- 
tion. 

ZO'OPHYTE. s. A natural production, which partakes of the nature 
of both a vegetable and animal : pronounced zo-ophyte. G. zoos, 
living, and phuton, a plant. 

ZO'OT'OMY. s. Dissection of the bodies of animals : pronounced zo- 
otomy. G. zoos, living, and temno, to cut. 



THE END. 



280 



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to the discriminating reader. No parent or guardian will be under the necessity 
of imposing restrictions with regard to the free perusal of every production ema- 
nating from this gifted woman. There breathes throughout the whole a most 
eminent exemption from impropriety of thought or diction ; and there is at times 
a pensiveness of tone, a winning sadness in her more serious compositions, which 
tells of a soul which has been lifted from the contemplation of terrestrial things, 
to divine communings with beings of a purer world." 

4 



THE POETICAL WORKS OF ROGERS, CAMPBELL. MONT- 
GOMERY, LAMB, AND KIRK WHITE. 
Complete in 1 vol. 8vo. ; with 6 beautiful engravings. 

MILTON, YOUNG, GRAY, BEATTIE, AND COLLINS' POETICAL 

WORKS. 
Complete in 1 vol. 8vo. ; with 6 beautiful engravings. 

HEBER, POLLOK, AND CRABBE'S POETICAL WORKS. 
Complete in 1 vol. 8vo.; with 6 beautiful engravings. 

A writer in the Boston Traveler holds the following language with reference to 
these valuable editions: — 

Mr. Editor-*-! wish, without any idea of puffing, to say a word or two up.on the 
"Library of English Poets" that is now published at Philadelphia, by Grigg & 
Elliot; it is certainly, ta^jng into consideration the elegant manner in which it i3 
printed, and the reasonable price at which it is afforded to purchasers, the best 
edition of the modern British Poets that has ever been published in this country. 
Each volume is an octavo of about 500 pages, double columns, stereotyped, and 
accompanied with fine engravings, and biographical sketches, and most of them 
are reprinted from Galiagnani's French edition. As to its value we need only 
mention that it contains the entire works of Montgomery, Gray, Beattie, Collins, 
Byron, Cowper, Thomson, Milton, Young, Rogers, Campbell, Lamb, Hemans, 
Heber, Kirk White, Crabbe, the Miscellaneous Works of Goldsmith, and other 
martyrs of the lyre. The publishers are doing a great service by their publication, 
and their volumes are almost in as great demand as the fashionable novels of the 
day, and they deserve to be so, for they are certainly printed in a style superior 
to that in which we have before had the works of the English Poets." 

No library can be considered complete without a copy of the above beautiful 
and cheap editions of the English Poets, and persons ordering all or any of them 
will please say Grigg, Elliot & Co.'s illustrated editions. 

HIND'S POPULAR SYSTEM OF FARRIERY. 

Taught on a new and easy plan, being a Treatise on all the Diseases and 

* Accidents to which the Horse is liable. With considerable additions 

and improvements; adapted particularly to this country, by Thomas M. 

Smith, Veterinary Surgeon, and Member of the London Veterinary 

Medical Society. In 1 vol. 12mo. 

MASON'S POPULAR SYSTEM OF FARRIERY. 

Comprising a General Description of the noble and useful animal, the 
Horse, together with the quickest and simplest mode of fattening; 
necessary treatment while undergoing excessive fatigue, or on a jour- 
ney; the construction and management of Stables; different marks for 
ascertaining the Age of a Horse: also, a concise Account of the Dis- 
eases to which the Horse is subject; with such remedies as long expe- 
rience has proved to be effectual. By Richard Mason, M. D., formerly 
of Surrey Co., Va. Ninth edition, with additions. To which is added 
a Prize Essay on Mules, and An Appendix containing Observations and 
Recipes for the cure of most of the common distempers incident to 
Horses, Oxen, Cows, Calves, Sheep, Lambs, Swine, Dogs, &c. &c. 
Selected from different authors. Also, an Addenda, containing Annals 
of the Turf, American Stud Book, Rules for Training, Racing, &c. 
The publishers have received numerous flattering notices of the great practical 
value of these works. The distinguished editor of the American Farmer, speak- 
ing of them, observes — « We cannot too highly recommend these books, and 
therefore advise every owner of a horse to obtain them." 

A* - 5 



THE STOCK KAISER'S MANUAL. 

A Guide to the Raising and Improvment of Cattle, being a Treatise on their 
Breeds, Management, and Diseases. By W. Youatt, author of a u Trea- 
tise on the Horse," with numerous illustrations. Complete in 1 vol. 8vo. 
♦This work will be found of the greatest importance to farmers and cattle raisers 

throughout the United States, and should be in the possession of every farmer, as 

it is the most complete work on this subject ever published. 



M'MAHON'S AMERICAN GARDENER. 

Ninth edition, much improved. In 1 vol. 8vo. 

This is an invaluable work to all who wish to obtain any information on the sub- 
ject of Gardening in all its various branches. 

m 

GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO'S 

RURAL REGISTER AND ALMANAC 

I?or 184§ : to be continued Annually. 

For farmers and gardeners it is invaluable, giving full directions for all their 
work for every month in the year, and for all the States in the Union. There is 
no work ever published that contains so much useful and valuable information in 
80 cheap and convenient a form ; and we do say that no farmer or gardener, who 
is worth a "bit," should be without one. There is no pursuit in which more real 
rational enjoyment and comfort will follow to an industrious man than Horticul- 
tural employments. 

BOOK OF POLITENESS. 

The Gentleman and Lady's Book of Politeness and Propriety of Deport- 
ment. Dedicated to the Youth of both sexes. By Madame Celnart. 
Translated from the -Sixth Paris edition, enlarged and improved. Fifth 
American edition. 



THE BEAUTIES OF HISTORY. 

Or, Examples of the Opposite Effects of Virtue and Vice, for the use of 
Families. 1 vol. 12mo., with plates. 

" After a careful examination of this book, we can conscientiously recommend 
it to parents and teachers as a most meritorious performance. There are here 
collected, within a narrow compass, the most striking examples of individual virtue 
and vice which are spread forth on the pages of history, or are recorded in per- 
sonal biography. The noblest precepts are recommended for the guidance ol 
youth; and in the most impressive manner is he taught to conquer the degrading 
impulses which lower the standard of the human character. We have not lately 
met with a volume which, in design and execution, seemed so acceptable as this. 
The book, moreover, is handsomely got up, and illustrated with wood engrav. 
ings." 



THE GLEMYMAN'S ASSISTANT. 

Or, Guide in Reading the Liturgy; containing Directions for Reading Cor- 
rectly with the Pronunciation. By Rev. W. H. Odenheimer ; of Phila* 
delphia. 



LIFE OF PAUL JONES. 

In one vol. 12mo., with 100 Illustrations. 

•* Life of Rear Admiral John Paul Jones," &c. &c, by James Hamilton. The 
work is compiled from his original journals and correspondence; and includes an 
account of his services in the American Revolution, and in the war between the 
Russians and Turks in the Black Sea. There is scarcely any Naval Hero of any 
age who combined in his character so much of the adventurous, skilful and daring, 
as Paul Jones. The incidents of his life are almost as startling and absorbing as 
those of romance. His achievements during the American Revolution — the fight 
between the Bon Homme Richard and Serapis, the most desperate naval action on 
record, and the alarm into which, with so small a force, he threw the coasts of 
England and Scotland, are matters comparatively well known to Americans; but 
the incidents of his subsequent career have been veiled in obscurity, which is dis- 
sipated by this Biography. A book like this, narrating the actions of such a man, 
ought to meet with an extensive sale, and become as popular as Robinson Crusoe 
in fiction, or Weems' Life of Marion and Washington, and similar books in fact. 
It contains 400 pages — has a handsome portrait and medallion likeness of Jones, 
and is illustrated with numerous original wood engravings of naval scenes and 
distinguished men with whom he was familiar. 

L. G. Curtis, Esq., editor of The Commercial, Cincinnati, 0hio, speaking of this 
work, &c, observes: — " Life of Rear Admiral Paul Jones, illustrated with nume- 
rous engravings from original drawings." This book we prize above any in our 
possession. John Paul Jones was truly an extraordinary man. He had the honor 
to hoist with his own hands the flag of freedom, the first time it was displayed in 
the Delaware, and in after life declared that he attended it with veneration ever 
after. To Paul Jones the honor of raising up an American navy belongs. He was 
the first commander in the world who made the proud flag of England "come 
down." His life, as printed by Messrs. Grigg, Elliot & Co., should be in the 
hands of every intelligent American. 



WALKER'S SCHOOL AND FAMILY GIOTIOHARIT. 

NEW EDITION. 

FROM NEW STEREOTYPE PLATES, GREATLY IMPROVED, AND PRINTED 
ON WHITE PAPER. 

A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary and Expositor of the English language, 
in which the meaning of every word is explained, and the sound of 
every syllable distinctly shown. To which are prefixed an Abstract of 
English Pronunciation, and Directions to Foreigners for Acquiring a 
Knowledge of the Use of this Dictionary. By John Walker, author of 
"Elements of Elocution,' 7 "Rhyming Dictionary," &c. &c. Abridged 
for the use of Schools, by an American Citizen. 

P. S. This is a new edition, on fine paper, and improved in printing and bind- 
ing. Parents and Teachers will please examine and order Grigg, Elliot & Co.'s 
Improved Edition. 

An eminent writer, and a good judge of the value of Dictionaries, observes ac 
follows: — 

We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Grigg, Elliot & Co., No. 14 
North Fourth Street, a copy of their new and handsome edition of Walker's Criti- 
cal Pronouncing Dictionary for Schools. The present edition is decidedly the 
best and most convenient we have ever seen, both in regard to the size of the 
type on which it is printed, and the style and form in which it is issued. It has been 
"got up" in a handsome and substantial manner, expressly for schools — has been 
greatly improved and made better in every respect for teachers and scholars. Ail 
teachers who have any regard for their eyes and the eyes of their scholars, would 
find it to their advantage to use this edition, printed as it is from new stereotype 
plates and on clean white paper. The edition is for salo by booksellers and coun- 
try merchants generally throughout the United States. 

7 



BOLLES' PHONOGRAPHIC PRONOUNCING DICTIONARY. 

IN ONE VOL. ROYAL 8VO. 

This valuable work has met with the most favorable reception from the Ameri- 
can public. It contains more words than the Svo. edition of Webster, and has the 
pronunciation attached according to the best authorities, which is a very import- 
ant addition, and renders the work much more desirable for general use and 
reference than of any of the large dictionaries now in use. No man of business 
or family should be without this valuable Dictionary. 

The same work abridged, in 1 vol. 12mo., we have just published also, which 
will be found an invaluable class book for academies, seminaries, and higher order 
of schools, as well as an important companion to the education of every young 
person. 



BIGLAND'S NATURAL HISTORY 

Of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles and Insects, illustrated with nume- 
rous and beautiful engravings. By John Bigland, author of a " View 
of the World," "Letters on Universal History," &c. Complete in i 
vol. 12mo. 
frCT This work is particularly adapted for the use of Schools and Families, 

forming the most elegantly written and complete work on the subject of Natural 

History ever published, and is worthy of the special attention of the teachers of 

all our schools and academies. 



BIGLAND'S NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS 

Illustrated with 12 beautifully colored engravings. 

BIGLAND'S HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
Illustrated with 12 beautifully colored engravings 



IMUBSHJ^o Jl MSffl(SIBniPffln®BJ ®IFo 

By Shoberl, with 12 colored plates. 
These works are got up in a very superior style, and well deserve an introduc- 
tion to the shelves of every family library, as they are very interesting, and par- 
ticularly adapted to the juvenile class of readers. 



GRIfflSHAW'S POPULAR HISTORIES, 

FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILY LIBRARIES, 



GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 

Recently brought up by the author to the present time. 
Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. 

GRIMSHAW-'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

Recently brought up by the author to the present time. 
Also, Questions adapted* to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. . 

GRIMSHAW'S IMPROVED EDITION OF GOLDSMITH'S HISTOKV 
OF GREECE, 

With a Vocabulary of the Proper Names contained in the work, and the 
Prosodial Accents, in conformity with the Pronunciation of Lempriere 

Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families, 
8 



GRIMSHAW'S IMPROVED EDITION OF GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY 

OF ROME. 

Revised and Corrected ; and a Vocabulary of Proper Names appended) 
with Prosodial Marks to assist in their Pronunciation. 

Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. 

GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY OF FRANCE, with Key and Questions. 
GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY AND LIFE OF NAPOLEON. 

The editor of the North American Review, speaking of these Histories, ob- 
serves, that — 

Among the Elementary Books of American History, we do not remember to 
have seen any one more deserving approbation than Mr. Grimshaw's History of 
the United States. It is a small volume, and a great deal of matter is brought 
into a narrow space; but the author has succeeded so well in the construction of 
his periods, and the arrangement 6f his materials, that perspicuity is rarely sacri- 
ficed to brevity. 

The chain of narrative is skilfully preserved ; and the author's reflections are 
frequently such as to make the facts more impressive, and lead the youthful mind 
to observe causes and consequences which might otherwise have been overlooked. 
As a school book it may justly be recommended. 

What has been said of this volume will apply generally to his other historical 
works. They are each nearly of the same size as the one just noticed, and de- 
signed for the same object, that is, the use of classes in schools. 

The History of England is an original composition; but the Grecian and Roman 
Histories are Goldsmith's, improved by Grimshavv, in which he has corrected the 
typographical errors with which the later editions of Goldsmith's Abridgements 
so much abound ; and removed any grossness in language, which, in some few 
instances, render these valuable compends less useful in the schools to which 
youth of both sexes resort. He has also added a Vocabulary of Proper Names, 
accentuated, in order to show their right pronunciation, which is a valuable ap- 
pendage to the History. 

All these .books are accompanied with very full and well-digested Tables of 
Questions, for the benefit of Pupils, and also with Keys to the same, for the con- 
venience of Teachers. 

GRIMSHAWS LADIES' LEXICON, 
And Parlor Companion; containing nearly every word in the English 
language, and exhibiting the plurals of nouns and the participles of 
verbs; being also particularly adapted to the use of Academies and 
Schools. By William Grimshaw, Esq. 

In the Nashville Republican, we observe the following notice of this very useful 
book: — 

In recommending the " Ladies' Lexicon," therefore, to all our readers, male 
and female, who ha've ever experienced the difficulties which it is so admirably 
calculated to remedy, we but do an ordinary act of justice to the author and pub- 
lisher. We consider the "Ladies' Lexicon," and recommend it to our readers as 
a work that possesses superior claims on their attention and patronage. 

THE GENTLEMEN'S LEXICON. 
Or, Pocket Dictionary: containing nearly every word in the English lan- 
guage, and exhibiting the plurals of nouns and the participles "of verbs; 
being also particularly adapted to the use of Academies and Schools. 
By William Grimshaw. 

The public are again indebted to the talents of Mr. Grimshaw, for the very use- 
ful books which he has called "The Ladies' and Gentlemen's Lexicons." The 
peculiarity and advantages of these works maybe collected from the following 
portion of the preface: — 

9 



They differ from all preceding works of the kind in this, that they exhibit the 
plurals of all nouns which are not formed by the mere addition of the letters, 
and also the participles of every verb now generally used, and unless accompa- 
nied by a particular caution. No word has been admitted which is not now of 
polite or popular use; and no word has been excluded which is required either in 
epistolatory composition or conversation. 

In giving the above extracts we take occasion to say, that teachers will find the 
" Ladies' and Gentlemen-s Lexicons" works admirably adapted to take the place, 
with advantage to their pupils, of the different works recently put into their hands 
under the name of Expositors, &c. 

ftCr The above work has been introduced as a Classbook into many of our 
academies and schools, with great approbation. 



Ruschenberger's First Books of Natural History. 

FOR SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, AND FAMILIES. 



DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ANATOMY AND 

PHYSIOLOGY. 

For the use of Schools and Families; with 45 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 

This is a most valuable work, by Dr. Ruschenberger: and most admirably are 
the plates, representing all the different parts of the body, done. It is cheap 
and every parent should place one in the hands of his children. — N. Y. Herald. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF MAMMALOGY. 
The Natural History of Quadrupeds; for beginners; 75 illustrations. 1 

vol. 12 mo. 

This number treats of all animals that in infancy feed on the milk of their 
mothers, from the human being down to the musquito-catching bat. Like the 
Ci First Book," it is divided into Questions and Answers, and a Glossary; and is 
illustrated by six plates. It is very cheap ; and contains an abundance of useful 
information. There are thousands of persons in this country, and millions in 
Europe, who do not know that whales give milk. — New York Era. 

We do not know a more useful set than this promises to be — and IS. — New York 
Aurora. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY. 

The Natural History of Birds; for beginners; 81 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 

New York, Feb. 9, 1846. 

Sir — I have received your note of the 3d instant, together with the " Elements 
of Ornithology," prepared for the use of Schools and Colleges, by W. S. W. 
Ruschenberger, M. D., &c, and have read the work, in compliance with the re- 
quest of the American Institute, that I should examine and report upon it. 

I have great pleasure in highly recommending it. To say the truth, although I 
am somewhat blanched by the hand of time, and have many years been a student 
of Ornithology, I consider the present the very best introduction to that science 
that I have ever seen ; and I might add as full praise to the other works of the 
series of Ruschenberger's text- books of Natural History, as far as I am acquainted 
with the subjects they relate to. 

Dr. Ruschenberger has, in giving this series to the public, rendered a benefit to 
all seekers after science, as both old and young may profit by the well-arranged 
and valuable information these volumes contain. Your obedient servant, 

To H. Meigs, Esq., JOHN J. AUDUBON. 

Recording Secretary of the American Institute, New York City. 

We wish we could induce our teachers generally to examine this, as well as the 
earlier works of Dr. Ruschenberger; they are admirably arranged, and just the 
very books needed for schools. The work before us, on the Natural History of 
Birds, is an admirable one; and no teacher should neglect to introduce the series. 

Cincinnati Gazette. 
10 



We have much pleasure in commending this series of works — the third of 
which, now before us, is on Ornithology. It will be found useful in the school- 
room, or the private study. — U. S. Gazette. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF HERPETOLOGY AND 
ICHTHYOLOGY. 

The Natural History of Reptiles and Fishes- for beginners; 66 illustra- 
tions. 1 vol. 12mo. 

Ruschenberger's Series of Books on Natural History are among the most valu- 
able and useful works, for the use of Schools, that have ever been published. A 
knowledge of Natural History is not only valuable, but deeply interesting ; and no 
one's education can, with such facilities as these works afford, be considered com- 
plete without it. — National Intelligencer. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF CONCHOLOGY. 

The Natural History of Shells and Mollusca; for beginners; 119 illustra- 
tions. 1 vol. 12mo. 

" We have no hand-books equal to these ; and we think Dr. E,. has conferred 
an obligation upon teachers and learners by producing them in an English dress, 
with all the advantages of well-engraved illustrations. The whole set of this 
work, which is furnished at a low price, will prove an invaluable acquisition to the 
school library." 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ENTOMOLOGY. 

The Natural History of Insects ; for beginners ; 9 1 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 

The subjects are well treated; and from the exceeding cheapness and admirable 
arrangement of these elementary works, they are well fitted for general use in 
Public Schools, Academies, and in every private library. — New York American. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF BOTANY. 

The Natural History of Plants; for beginners; 194 illustrations. 1 vol. 
12mo. 

We do not hesitate to say, that this is the best work of the kind and dimensions 
that has ever fallen under our notice. We hope all will embrace the first oppor- 
tunity of procuring a copy, as we are sure they will prize it highly. — Botanic 
Recorder. 

We regard this series as eminently useful, supplying adequately the instruction 
in Natural History necessary to a proper school education.— Nort h American. 

DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF GEOLOGY. 

The Natural History of the Earth's Structure; for beginners; illustrated 
with 300 beautiful Wood-cuts, designed to assist the learner in the 
course of his studies. 1 vol. 12mo. 

"We agree with a competent judge in the opinion, that it is the most complete 
and beautiful Elementary Treatise on the subject which has been published in this 
country. The subject of Geology is now attracting a great deal, and will continue 
to excite still more attention in the United States, as our vast mineral resources 
are becoming more fully developed; and this work exactly suits the wants of the 
public, in training up the young for future study in this branch of knowledge." 

The series of books of which this forms a part has been highly and justly com- 
mended by the ablest judges, as furnishing rare facilities for the acquisition of 
branches of knowledge, but too much neglected in our schools. We have ex- 
amined the volumes with much care, and we find them well deserving all the 
praise bestowed on them. — Godey's Lady's Book. 

11 



« e The above series, taken separately or collectively, is considered one of the 
most valuable contributions to the cause of education which has ever been pub- 
lished in this country." 

This interesting Series of Books has already met with the most flattering recep- 
tion from the American press. They have been introduced into the public schools 
of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Maine, New York, Tennessee, Alabama, 
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, the Carolinas, &c, and many of the first class Semi- 
naries of Learning in the United States. The moderate price of this series is a 
great recommendation, being half the price of the common school books in use, 
on the same subject. 

Yale College, Bee. 19, 1845. 

I think this an excellent work — condensed, lucid, exact, and comprehensive — a 
safe guide for the pupil, and a useful review for the teacher. The illustrations 
are numerous and exact. B. SILLIMAN. 

Extract of a Report to the American Institute. 

Your committee with much pleasure recommend this highly valuable book to 
the attention of those who conduct our Schools, Academies, and Colleges, as a 
work excellently calculated to give the first outlines of the very important study 
of Geology to students. Nor do we hesitate to say, that all men, except learned 
Geologists alone, will feel, after its perusal, that they have received a great re- 
ward for a very small expense of time and money. JAMES J. MAPES. 



GRIGG & ELLIOT'S NEW SERIES OP 

COMMON SCHOOL READERS, 

Numbers First, Second, Third and Fourth. 

These books are particularly adapted for an introduction into the Schools gene- 
rally in the South and West; and Teachers who feel a deep interest in promoting 
the welfare of their pupils, will, no doubt, after a careful examination, give them 
the preference over all other Readers now in use. 

Parents and Teachers will please read the following notice of this invaluable 
series of Elementary School Books. 

We called attention to the above-named series of Common School books several weeks 
since, when publishing an advertisement for the sale of them by some of our merchants. 
Since that time we have had opportunity to give them a thorough examination, and we 
feel it due to the community in which we live, and the proprietors of those interesting pub- 
lications, to notice them more particularly. They certainly contribute a valuable addition 
to our stock of elementary literature; in their plan and details presenting an intimate 
acquaintance with the necessities that demanded their production, and developing, in their 
prosecution, a wisdom and zeal in adapting the material at hand to the attainment of the 
object in view, every way worthy of commendation and confidence. 

The First Class reader is exactly such a book as would interest and impress the minds 
and hearts of little boys and girls. Composed of short and easy words, embodying plea- 
sant and profitable instruction, it is just the thing for infant learners, who find in it such 
words as they can readily pronounce, and such ideas as they can easily comprehend. In 
the Second and Third Class Readers the style increases in the intricacy of diction and the 
elevation of sentiment, in beautiful consistency with the progress of attentive and studious 
pupils, in the more advanced stages of primary school education. The Fourth Class 
Reader is an invaluable compendium of deeply interesting and instructive facts, argu- 
ments and inferences, drawn from that unfailing repository of truth, the history of the men 
and manners of by-gone times. It is a reprint of the " Beauties of History," consisting of 
anecdotes of men and women made illustrious by the splendor of their talents and virtues, 
or rendered eternally infamous by the vileness of their characters and crimes. It is, there- 
fore, a fit companion for those who are completing their term of study, preparatory to 
entering the great arena of life ; inviting and encouraging them by the bright example of 
the good, to walk in wisdom's narrow path, and warning them, by the wretchedness and 
ruin of the vicious, from entering the broad road of sin and death. 

After the table of contents of the Second Reader, is a chapter giving directions for the 
attainment of a correct and elegant style of reading, the great importance of which all 
know the value of, but few attain. For the truth of these remarks, we refer to the book? 
themselves. 

*** Public, private and social libraries, and all who purchase to sell again, supplied or 
the most reasonable terms with every article in the Book and Stationery line ; including 
new novels, and all new works in every department of literature and science. 

f£7=* Particular attention will also be paid to all orders, through country merchants, or 
by mail, for Law, Medical and Miscellaneous Books, for public and private libraries, an<? 
so effort will be spared to complete all such orders on the most reasonable terms. 

U 



